NGA Statement on Rep. Perry’s Letter to the EPA Calling for HFC Management Rule Reexamination

• May 19, 2026

The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, released the following statement:

"The National Grocers Association applauds Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) for his letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to revisit its Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Management Rule, and thanks cosigners Andy Harris (R-MD), Barry Moore (R-AL), Andy Ogles (R-TN), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mark Harris (R-NC), and Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI).

Independent grocers are committed to responsible refrigerant management and environmental stewardship, but the current rule imposes unrealistic timelines, excessive compliance costs, and operational burdens that threaten Main Street food retailers and the communities they serve.

Without meaningful revisions, the rule risks driving up costs for independent grocers already operating on razor-thin margins, costs that will ultimately impact consumers at the checkout stand.

NGA appreciates Rep. Perry's leadership in recognizing the real-world challenges facing independent supermarkets and is optimistic that President Trump and Administrator Zeldin will implement a more practical, achievable regulatory approach."

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About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers' associations, manufacturers and service suppliers. For more information about NGA, visit www.nationalgrocers.org.