The new European Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer

A. Nicoletti - G. Malinverno

Ausimont S.p.A. - Viale Lombardia 20 - 20021 Bollate

The new European Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer (N° 2037/2000) was approved on 29 June 2000 e published on the Official Gazette of the European Community on 29 September 2000.
The new Regulation came into force 1 October 2000 replacing the former Regulation N° 3093/94 of 15 December 1994.

What are the main differences ?

Art. 3: production control of HCFC

· Year 2000 shall not exceed the production level in 1997
· From 2008 : not exceed 35% of 1997 level
· From 2014 : not exceed 20% of 1997 level
· From 2020 : not exceed 15% of 1997 level
· From 2025 : no more production of HCFC

Art. 4: control of the placing on the market and use of controlled
Substances

· The placing on the market and use of CFCs, Halons, CTC, TCE, HBFC shall be prohibited
· This will apply from 1/10/2000

Art. 5: control of use of HCFC

The use of HCFC as refrigerants is forbidden :

· From 1 January 2000, in equipment produced after 31 December 1999 for the following uses:
- in public and distribution cold stores and warehouses,
- for equipment of 150 kw and over, shaft input,
· From 1 January 2001, in all other refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment produced after 31 December 2000, with the exception of fixed air-conditioning equipment, with a cooling capacity of less than 100 kw, where the use of hydrochlofluorocarbons shall be prohibited from 1 July 2002 in equipment produced after 30 June 2002 and of reversible air-conditioning/heat pump systems where the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons shall be prohibited from 1 January 2004 in all equipment produced after 31 December 2003;
· From 1 January 2010, the use of virgin hydrochlorofluorocarbons shall be prohibited in the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment existing at that date; all hydrochlorofluorocarbons shall be prohibited from 1 January 2015.

· The exportation of products and equipment containing HCFC in countries where the use of HCFC is still permitted, can continue up to 31/12/2009

Art. 12: export authorisation

· The export of controlled substances shall be subjected to authorisation
· The Commission will issue the authorisation for the period 1/1/2001 to 31/12/2001 and for each 12-month period thereafter.