Fluorinated Gases

OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

• International
• Europe
• Implementation

International

CFCs and HCFCs are controlled under the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its subsequent amendments and adjustments.
More information:   IIR has published an useful summary sheet on the Montreal Protocol

The HCFC regime under the Montreal Protocol

Under the Montreal Protocol, the trade of HCFCs is not permitted with or from a "State not party".

In order to clarify this term, which was subject to different interpretations, the 15th Meeting of the Parties (MOP-15) has agreed that – essentially – it will apply to developed countries if they have not ratified the  Copenhagen and Beijing Amendments and will not apply to developing countries until 2016.

Reference: Decision XV/3

Comprehensive explanation

2007 Montreal Adjustment on Production and consumption of HCFCs

Europe
NEW: Recast of Ozone regulation is published
The recast of the Ozone Regulation (EC/1005/2009) has now been published and came into force on 1st January 2010.

In addition to implementing the ban on the use of virgin hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) the recast will bring in some new requirements, such as record keeping and the need to label systems.  For guidance on these changes see Information Sheets RAC 3 & 8. These sheets have recently been updated to provide more detail on the new requirements.

See also: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/air/fgas/background.htm

RAC 3  563 KB
RAC 8  103 KB

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (recast)

After its adoption by the EU Parliament, the Council has adopted the final text of the recast Regulation EC 1005/2009 in July 2009.

The text is available in all official languages on:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:286:0001:0030:EN:PDF

The main objectives of the Revision are to simplify the legislation in force, to ensure the continued compliance of Member States with the Montreal Protocol 2007 adjustments, and to address future challenges.

Highlights from the new ODS Regulation - T. Vink   67 KB

  Changes to the current legislation :

• Removing obsolete provisions and procedures e.g. on essential and critical uses of ozone depleting substances (ODS)
  
• Bringing forward the production phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) from 2025 to 2020 in line with the recent decision under the Montreal Protocol.
  
• Introducing amendments to facilitate enforcing and preventing the illegal trade or use of ODS in the EU
  
• Tackling ODS contained in refrigeration equipment and in building insulation foams, by tightening leakage control and provisions on end-of-life recovery and destruction.

More info :       http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ozone/review.htm

HCFC requirements according to the recast Regulation
 

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Last update:  March 2010