HFC-134a (R-134a) Recovery/Recycle/Recharging Equipment for Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems

SAE J2788 establishes minimum performance, certification, safety, and testing requirements for equipment that recovers, recycles, and recharges HFC-134a in mobile air-conditioning systems.

SAE J2788 FEB2026 specifies minimum equipment performance requirements for recovering and recycling HFC-134a (R-134a) removed from mobile air-conditioning systems and for recharging systems with recycled or virgin refrigerant. The standard covers recovery and recycling equipment, recovery/recycling and refrigerant charging equipment, and refrigerant recharging equipment. It addresses refrigerant purity, moisture and acid control, filtration, non-condensable gas purging, oil separation, recovery efficiency, charging accuracy, storage vessel protection, operating instructions, safety requirements, high-voltage electric compressor service, laboratory testing, and certification under SAE J2911. This revision supersedes SAE J2788 JAN2020 and includes international and regional construction, safety, and labeling requirements.

Application Scope: Automotive service equipment manufacturers, certification laboratories, mobile air-conditioning service providers, vehicle service garages, and technicians working with HFC-134a recovery, recycling, and recharging equipment.