Fact Sheet: SNAP Determination of Acceptability (Notice 39)
Section 612 of the Clean Air Act requires EPA to evaluate alternatives to ozone-depleting substances. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program reviews substitutes in a comparative risk framework, using the same risk criteria for all SNAP decisions. Section 612 requires EPA to list as acceptable those substitutes that do not present a significantly greater risk to human health and the environment as compared with other substitutes that are currently or potentially available. This determination of acceptability (Notice 39) expands EPA’s SNAP list of acceptable substitutes, providing industry with four additional options – three in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector and one in the foam blowing sector.