Eastern Automotive Warehousing/Auto Machinery - Autosphere

INDUSTRY NEWS
EPA Proposes to Approve New Refrigerant
for Vehicle Air Conditioners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will likely fi nd
HFO-1234yf acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a substitute
for CFC-12 in motor vehicle air conditioners under the Signifi
cant New Alternatives Policy Program (SNAP). SNAP requires
any company seeking to sell any chemical or product, which is
intended for use as a replacement for a Class I or Class II ozone
depleting substance, to provide the agency with health and safety
studies on the substitute at least 90 days before introducing the
product into interstate commerce.
HFO-1234yf is considered a promising substitute for both R-12
and R-134a, currently in use in most vehicle air conditioners. Car
companies are under increasing pressure from regulators, especially
in Europe, to eliminate the use of current refrigerants, such
as R-134a, due to their high global warming potential. 1234yf
has a global warming potential (GWP) of 4 compared to R-134a,
which has a GWP of 1,430 and R-12 with a GWP of 10,890.
EPA is proposing certain use conditions for 1234yf based on
fl ammability concerns. These include actions to prevent leaks
into the passenger compartment, preventing high concentrations
near power sources, as well as the use of unique fi ttings and
warning labels. Flammability concerns also have led EPA to restrict
its SNAP approval to use of 1234yf only on new vehicles.
However, the agency is accepting comments on the safety of
retrofi tting vehicles now using either R-134a or R-12 with the
new refrigerant.
To view the proposal, visit www.epa.gov/ozone/snap.
AASA, Brake Manufacturers Council
Integrate
The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and
the Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC) announced an agreement
to integrate the BMC as a product council of AASA. It will operate
under the leadership of the AASA Board of Governors.
“This agreement between the leadership of AASA and BMC will
benefi t North American suppliers and create more collaboration
among brake suppliers, whether aftermarket or original equipment,”
said Steve Handschuh, AASA president and COO. “This
agreement will create a unique forum for BMC members and
will foster open discussions of common concerns and industry
issues.”
“BMC members are excited about the opportunities that integration
with AASA opens,” said Pat Healey, president of the Friction
Materials Standards Institute (FMSI), who currently acts as
BMC’s Executive Director. “The FMSI looks forward to continue to
work with AASA and BMC on issues of common concern.”
Advertisers Index
AIA Canada www.aiacanada.com 23
Altrom Group www.altrom.com 27
ASC Industries www.asc-ind.com 17
Atlas Tire Wholesale www.atlastire.com 5, 7, 39
Auto Value www.autovalue.com 16
Beck/Arnley www.beckarnley.com 9
Bestbuy Auto Parts www.bestbuyautoparts.ca 31
Blue Streak www.bluestreak.ca 3
Dayco www.dayco.ca 17
Delphi www.delphi.com 19
Earth Day Canada www.earthday.ca/scholarship 13
East Penn www.eastpenncanada.com 32, 33
Exide Technologies www.exide.com 11, 18
Federal-Mogul www.federalmogul.com 18, 30
Gates www.gates.com 16
Hella www.hellacanada.com 19
JD Coyle 18
Mister Transmission www.mistertransmission.com 25
NAPA www.napaonline.ca 40
NAPA Centre of Excellence www.napaexcellence.ca 29
NGK Spark Plugs www.ngksparkplugs.ca 16
Parts Master 18
Pico 17
Prolab Technolub
www.prolab-technologies.com/
technolub_ang.htm
Recochem www.recochem.com 18
Shell www.shell.ca 18
Spectra Premium www.spectrapremium.com 16
Tenneco www.tenneco.com 17
Uni-Select www.uni-select.com 20, 21
Valvoline www.valvoline.com 2
Zurawel Patton Sample www.zps.ca 17
| www.autosphere.ca | December 2009 | CarCare Business | 37
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