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.
The Protocol and its subsequent amendments can be downloaded from the  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Secretariat  web site.

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: Revision of the EU Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation is Ongoing

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.

See: Highlights from the new ODS Regulation - T. Vink -  127 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

EFCTC PR  EFCTC supports the objectives of the proposal


The Montreal Protocol is implemented in the European Union through European Regulation 2037/2000+ amendment 2039/2000 of 29 June 2000. 

Summary of the provisions of the EU Regulation ( 104 KB)

A number of Member States have their own national regulations on ozone depleting substances , one of which are stronger than the European Regulation.

A good review is available on the Alliance website.

CFCs

The production, consumption, sale and use (defined as for servicing and maintenance) of CFCs is banned within the EU under Regulation 2037/2000. Production is only permitted for essential use (such as for the manufacture of Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) used for the treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and laboratory use) and for supply to meet the basic domestic needs of developing countries. This production takes place under a licensing system.

HCFCs

The production, consumption and use of HCFCs are controlled under Regulation 2037/2000. The wording explicitly exempts feedstock uses from such Regulation.

Details of the main provisions regarding a quantitative 'cap' on the quantity that can be placed on the EU market, specific bans on individual applications of HCFCs, and a quantitative 'cap' on the total production of HCFCs are given.

The HCFC market 'cap' reduces over time to take into account the controls on HCFC use. The sale and use of virgin HCFCs in the EU will be banned from  1 January 2010, use and sale of recovered and recycled HCFC can continue until 1 January 2015. Production of HCFCs will be banned in the EU from 31 December 2025.