R134A is a non-ozonedepleting, environmentally safer refrigerant to replace CFCs and HCFCs in several air-conditioning and refrigeration applications. It possesses similar energy efficiency and capacity characteristics as CFC-12, has an intrinsically low toxicity, and is recognized as a superior long-term solution in many applications. R134A refrigerant meets industry standards for all automotive air conditioning systems that use HFC-134a refrigerant.

This non-ozone depleting alternative is the environmentally safer choice for refrigerant technology, and is leading the auto industry away from CFC dependency. In addition, it can be used to retrofit existing R-12 refrigeration and air conditioning systems. It is also the global standard for new mobile air conditioning and can be used to retrofit existing R-12 mobile air conditioning systems.

According to the "Alternative Fluorocarbons Acceptability Study" [187] the portion of R134a among the worldwide sold refrigerants for air-conditioners and refrigerators increased from 0% to 31% in the period from 1990 to 2000. In the same time, the portion of the hydrochlorofluorocarbons decreased from 95% to 64% whereby in 2000 practically no hydrochlorofluorocarbons except of R22 were sold for the use in refrigerants and air-conditioners.