Mexico Partners with Canada and UNDP to Advance Commercial Refrigeration Transition, CDMX Pilot Cuts Emissions by 70%
Source: www.duoyitool.com | Date: June 15, 2026
Featured product: DUOYI DY610 Digital Vacuum Micron Gauge
Table of Contents
- Background: Mexico's Kigali Amendment Commitments
- Key Development: SEMARNAT–Canada–UNDP Tripartite Project
- CDMX Public Market Pilot: A 70% Emissions Reduction
- Regulatory Link: A2L Refrigerant Rules and Vacuum Evacuation Requirements
- Implications for HVAC Distributors and Technicians
- Sources
Background: Mexico's Kigali Amendment Commitments
Mexico was among the first countries to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, committing to a phased reduction of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption. On the HCFC front, Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) published maximum allowable HCFC consumption levels for 2026–2030 in the Official Gazette of the Federation on January 23, 2026, further strengthening the regulatory framework for the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. By 2024, Mexico had already achieved an 84.2% reduction in HCFC consumption versus the 2013 baseline, with full phase-out scheduled for January 1, 2030. The final phase will focus on technician training and equipment upgrades across the service sector.
Key Development: SEMARNAT–Canada–UNDP Tripartite Project
On May 14, 2026, SEMARNAT, Canada's Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly held the workshop "Sustainable Refrigerant Transition in the Commercial Sector," presenting progress on a tripartite cooperation project. The initiative, titled "Support for Implementing the Kigali Amendment for the Elimination of Hydrofluorocarbons in Mexico," is funded by the Canadian government with UNDP serving as the implementing agency, and aims to accelerate the adoption of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigeration technologies.
SEMARNAT's Undersecretary for Environmental Regulation, Ileana Villalobos Estrada, stated that the transition to cleaner, more efficient refrigeration technologies not only fulfills international commitments but also drives technological modernization and energy savings. The project's overarching goal is to cut HFC consumption by 80% by 2045.
CDMX Public Market Pilot: A 70% Emissions Reduction
One of the key results presented at the workshop was a pilot program implemented in Mexico City public markets, where traditional refrigeration systems were replaced with lower-impact, higher-efficiency technologies. One pilot project demonstrated an approximate 70% reduction in total emissions associated with energy consumption and the use of polluting refrigerants in small-business refrigeration systems.
Canadian and local specialists also shared experience on energy efficiency improvements, refrigerant recovery and recycling, and the application of new sustainable technologies in the commercial sector. The project further includes technical training for small and medium-sized enterprises, facility modernization, and the promotion of best practices.
Regulatory Link: A2L Refrigerant Rules and Vacuum Evacuation Requirements
Running alongside the HFC reduction targets is Mexico's safety regulatory framework for A2L (mildly flammable) refrigerants such as R-32 and HFO-based alternatives. According to 2026 industry analysis, the transition to A2L refrigerants introduces a flammability classification previously uncommon in commercial air conditioning — operating such systems without understanding the applicable framework now carries significant legal and civil-protection risk.
Specifically, current regulations require: piping labeled with warning colors; dedicated recovery equipment — older R-410A recovery machines cannot be used for R-32, as their motors may generate sparks; and specialized technician certification demonstrating knowledge of handling flammable gases to prevent accidents during brazing. In addition, the "Safe Refrigerant Handling" certification (EC0613) has been mandatory in Mexico since 2023 under the Montreal Protocol, forming a baseline requirement for technicians entering the trade.
At the tool level, this means vacuum evacuation and micron-level measurement equipment must be compatible with new refrigerants, ensuring that residual moisture and non-condensable gases are thoroughly removed before system retrofit or charging — a critical step in avoiding safety hazards and performance issues in flammable-refrigerant systems.
Implications for HVAC Distributors and Technicians
As the CDMX public market pilot model is positioned as a replicable template — alongside SEMARNAT's established HCFC phase-out timeline and the full rollout of A2L refrigerant safety regulations — demand across Mexico's HVAC service sector for compliant digital vacuum gauges compatible with low-GWP refrigerants such as R-32 is expected to keep rising. For distributors, products that clearly demonstrate micron-level vacuum readings, multi-refrigerant compatibility, and regulatory certification will carry stronger market appeal during this transition period.