EPA Finalizes Rule Ensuring Military, Asthma Inhalers, Semiconductor Manufacturers Have Priority Access to Needed Ingredients

EPA Finalizes Rule Ensuring Military, Asthma Inhalers, Semiconductor Manufacturers Have Priority Access to Needed Ingredients

August 22, 2025

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rule to support essential American industries by renewing limited, priority access to a class of key chemicals called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for critical uses through 2030. Specifically, EPA is finalizing its first mandatory five-year review of application-specific allowances (ASAs), which provide limited, priority access to HFCs for critical uses. By renewing priority access for five applications, the Trump Administration is ensuring that critical health, defense, and technology sectors can continue to operate efficiently and effectively, bolstering human health, national security, and American technology.

Priority access is being provided for the following five applications: propellants in metered dose inhalers (MDIs); certain foams for marine and trailer uses; etching of semiconductor material or wafers and the cleaning of chemical vapor deposition chambers within the semiconductor manufacturing sector; mission-critical military end uses; and onboard aerospace fire suppression.

"Today's rule is not just about giving essential sectors such as health, defense, and technology the ability to continue to operate at full capacity but ensuring we are fulfilling our core mission of protecting human health and the environment. As one of the many Americans who uses a metered dose inhaler every day, I understand the live-saving impact this will have," said Assistant Administrator for Air Aaron Szabo. "It also reaffirms our commitment to making America the AI capital of the world as we continue Powering the Great American Comeback at EPA."

Recognizing the absence of safe and effective alternatives, in particular for law enforcement and military use, EPA is excluding defense sprays from the requirements for aerosols established under the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule. Therefore, EPA is not renewing ASA eligibility for defense spray beginning with calendar year 2026 allowances as it is no longer necessary because they will have continued access to necessary HFCs from the open market.

This rule will not result in any significant changes to the HFC phasedown program as a whole.

Please see the Regulatory Actions for Allowance Allocation and Reportingwebpage for more information.