China Bans Production of Multi-Split Air Conditioners Using Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) 
On September 2, 2026, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published the Announcement on the Ban on the Production of Multi-Split Air Conditioning (Heat Pump) Units Using Chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) as Refrigerant on its official website.
Formulated to fulfill obligations under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the announcement enforces a comprehensive ban on the use of HCFC-22 as a refrigerant across the multi-split air conditioning (heat pump) unit sector. The policy is based on provisions of the Regulations on the Administration of Ozone Depleting Substances and the requirements of China's Country Program for the Phase-out of Ozone Depleting Substances under the Montreal Protocol (2025–2030).
Phase-Out Timeline and Effective Date
According to the announcement, the production of multi-split air conditioning (heat pump) units using HCFC-22 as a refrigerant will be strictly prohibited starting January 1, 2027.
Scope of Regulated Products and Applicable Standards
The multi-split air conditioning (heat pump) products and systems subject to this production ban are defined by the following national and industry technical standards:
| No. | Standard Number | Standard Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GB/T 18837 | Multi-split air-conditioning (heat pump) units |
| 2 | GB/T 25857 | Low ambient temperature air source multi-connected heat pump (air-conditioning) unit |
| 3 | JB/T 11966 | Air-source multiple split air-conditioning (heat pump) and water heating unit |
Reference Document
The original Chinese text of the MEE announcement is available at:
https://www.mee.gov.cn/xxgk2018/xxgk/xxgk01/202609/t20260904_1165084.html
