Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum

At present, the market price for pure R-134a, the good stuff produced in the USA, is nudging $300 for a 30-pound cylinder. And in most cases, you'll need to be US-EPA Section 609 Certified to buy it. The small 12-ounce containers still can be bought without the certification, but I believe there's a limit on how many you can purchase. Like just about everything else, the prices for refrigerant keep going up.

John I have to admit that requiring epa cert to buy a 30 pounder is news to me

Directly from the EPA:

Requirements to Purchase Refrigerant

The following people can buy refrigerant found acceptable for use in a motor vehicle air conditioner (MVAC):
—Technicians who have earned Section 609 Technician Certification.
—Employers of a Section 609 certified technician (or the employer's authorized representative) if the employer provides the refrigerant wholesaler with written evidence that he or she employs at least one properly certified technician. Nothing in this provision relieves persons of the requirements of 40 CFR § 82.34(b) or § 82.42(b).

Small cans of non-exempt MVAC refrigerant (i.e., containers designed to hold two pounds or less of refrigerant) that have unique fittings, and self-sealing valves can continue to be sold to persons without certification for DIY use on their vehicles.

Wholesaler Responsibilities when Selling Refrigerant

Wholesalers that sell either ozone-depleting or substitute refrigerants must retain invoices that indicate the name of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the quantity of refrigerant purchased.

Wholesalers that sell refrigerant for resale are legally responsible for ensuring that their customers fit into one of the categories of allowed purchasers under the sales restriction. Although the regulation does not specify precautions that wholesalers must take to verify the intent of individuals purchasing refrigerant, EPA recommends that wholesalers obtain a signed statement from the purchaser (individuals who are NOT Section 609 certified) indicating that he or she is purchasing the refrigerant only for eventual resale to certified technicians.

And here is what MACS says:

—609 Certification is part of the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1990. Since 1992, federal law has required technicians working for pay to be certified to recover and recycle refrigerant. In addition, only certified technicians are allowed to purchase R-12. As of January 1, 2018, purchasing two pounds or more of refrigerants is also now restricted to certified technicians. Before purchasing refrigerant, you must display a Section 609 card.
—The five mobile A/C refrigerants covered under Section 609 are R-12, R-134a, R-152a, R-744 (CO2), & R-1234yf.