Following advocacy from HARDI and other industry stakeholders, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced changes to its enforcement priorities, including deprioritizing enforcement of the prohibition on installing equipment subject to the Technology Transition Rule (TT Rule) Reconsideration proposal. Equipment affected by the change in enforcement includes: remote condensing units used for commercial refrigeration, cold storage warehouse refrigeration, and residential and light commercial air conditioners and heat pump systems that use components manufactured before January 1, 2025. This announcement provides good news for distributors and contractors as they enter 2026, pending the agency’s final rule repealing the installation date.

According to the EPA, “Enforcement of the current deadlines subject to the TT Rule Reconsideration is a low enforcement priority for the Agency.” The change clarifies how the Agency plans to apply its federal enforcement resources under the Technology Transition Rule. EPA indicates that it will not prioritize federal enforcement of the January 1, 2026, installation prohibitions included in the Technology Transition Rule Reconsideration. While the rule itself remains in effect, the statement signals a shift in enforcement focus as EPA continues to consider changes to the regulation.