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See ebay listings for how you can buy R-12 by stating you are a reseller:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/R12-Refrigerant-12-Virgin-Pure-R-12...

>An EPA certificate is required to purchase R12 Refrigerant "OR" a statement saying you are purchasing this for "Resale Only". The "Resale Only" statement can be in the form of an e-mail.

Pretty easy for Joe Handyman to buy.

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Yes, it's easy to buy, but as I mentioned in another comment here, the price compels everyone to be cautious in using it and not let it escape. You can even find plenty of DIY videos on YouTube of people building their own refrigerant recovery machines (basically a compressor and a tank), so I'd say everyone recognises the importance of not just venting it into the atmosphere.

The last time I heard, the EPA certificate is itself very easy to obtain too; the fee is around $20, and it's a short open-book multiple-choice exam. Not really a hindrance considering that a gauge set and vacuum pump, which is obligatory if you intend to do anything with refrigeration, costs far more.

Yeah I like the strong warning of needing a certification then the "OR just say it's for resale" part.

In my case it was in a different (European) country. I think they may be slightly more strict there.

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