9. a. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt, pursuant to the “State Uniform Construction Code Act,” P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.), a list of approved uses, and use conditions or use limits, if applicable, for substitutes, as defined pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2019, c.507 (C. 26:2C-60).

b. Each substitute, use, use condition, or use limit in the list adopted pursuant to this section shall be:

(1) approved under the “Significant New Alternatives Policy” program in the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 7671k; or

(2) approved by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2019, c.507 (C. 26:2C-61).

c. Notwithstanding the requirements set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection b. of this section, for the State Uniform Construction Code, as applicable for the period from the effective date of P.L.2023, c.178 through the adoption of a subsequent publication of a relevant subcode of the State Uniform Construction Code, or December 31, 2026, whichever occurs first, the list of approved uses, and use conditions or use limits, if applicable, for substitutes, pursuant to subsection a. of this section, shall not prohibit, and no provision of the State building code or local code for that period may prohibit, or otherwise limit the use of a refrigerant designated as acceptable by the United States Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to and in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 7671k, provided that the equipment using the refrigerant is listed and installed in accordance with the safety standards and use conditions published and imposed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 7671k.

L.2019, c.507, s.9; amended 2023 ,c.178.