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Guidance on EC Regulation No 2037/2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer

These pages are intended as a guide on how EC Regulation 2037/2000 on ozone depleting substances (ODS) will affect users, producers, suppliers, maintenance and servicing engineers and those involved in the disposal of all ODS.  These substances are mainly used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, foam blowing, dry cleaning, industrial solvents and in fire fighting.  The substances covered include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and bromochloromethane (CBM). 

HCFC Study on supply and demand beyond 2009

A study on the supply and demand of recycled HCFCs in existing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment beyond 2009 has been prepared for the European Commission.  The study looks at 3 phase-out scenarios, advanced phase-out, extended phase-out and maintaining existing phase-out measures. The report recommends that the phase-out date be maintained at 1 January 2015.  However, there is one exception to this recommendation, which is the phase-out of industrial process refrigeration equipment on an advanced schedule should be considered further.

Regulation on mandatory minimum qualifications for handlers of ozone depleting substances

The Regulation on mandatory minimum qualifications for handlers of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in relation to the implementation of EC Regulation 2037/2000 in England, Wales and Scotland is aimed at all personnel who deal with the recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction of ozone depleting substances, and the prevention and minimisation of leakages of ODS. The regulation set out the minimum qualifications for personnel working in a number of sectors including refrigeration and air-conditioning, fire protection using halons, fumigations using methyl bromide, solvents, the disposal of waste equipment containing ODS and the recycling, reclamation or destruction of ODS.

The Regulation was signed and laid before Parliament on the 16 June 2006 and came into force on the 10 July 2006.  You may wish to note that the transitional provision in regulation 6(1), which allows an experienced person who is not competent to carry out relevant work to continue to do so until the 9 April 2007.

Guidance Booklets

The DTI and Defra published a set of four guidance booklets that summaries key aspects of EC Regulation No 2037/2000.  These booklets can be viewed by clicking on the relevant hyperlink or they can be ordered from the BERR Publications Orderline (below). 

Guidance on New EC Regulation No 2037/2000

The information contained in this booklet is intended as a short guide explaining the impact of the new EC Regulation.  The new EC Regulation introduces bans on the supply and use of CFCs, halons, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride and CBM.  These prohibitions take effect immediately on or shortly after 1st October 2000 – users of these substances will need to take early action.  The new EC Regulation also introduces a revised schedule for the phase out of HCFCs, accompanied by a number of important new use controls.

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning

Users of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants need to be aware of a number of significant changes to the previous phase out regulations. The aim of this Guide is to outline these changes and to help users decide on appropriate action plans.    Details of how to obtain further help are also given at the end of this booklet.

Disposal of fridges:

Information on how to dispose of fridges and freezers can be found on the Defra website.  The comprehensive list of FAQs (frequently asked questions) are designed to address the issues related to ozone depleting substances within waste refrigeration equipment, and are not intended to provide a comprehensive review of the Regulation.

Solvents

This Guide provides details of how the EC Regulation 2037/2000 on ozone depleting substances (ODS) will affect the use of ozone depleting solvents.  The Guide is aimed at all key parties in the solvent market including users, designers, equipment manufacturers and solvent suppliers.

The solvents affected by the EC Regulation are CFC 113,  1,1,1-trichloroethane and HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) solvents such as HCFC 141b.

Users of ozone depleting solvents need to be aware of a number of significant changes introduced by the new EC Ozone Regulation.  The aim of this Guide is to outline these changes and to help users decide on appropriate action plans.  Details of how to obtain further help are also given at the end of this booklet.

Halons

This Guide provides details of how the EC Regulation 2037/2000 on ozone depleting substances (ODS) will affect the use of fire fighting systems and explosion protection equipment.  This guide is aimed at all key parties in these markets including users, designers, equipment manufactures, installation contractors and maintenance contractors.

Users of halon fire extinguishing fluids need to be aware of a number of significant changes to the previous halon phase out regulations.  The aim of this Guide is to outline these changes and to help users decide on appropriate action plans.  Details of how to obtain further help are also given at the end of this booklet. Halon 1211 is used mainly in hand-held fire extinguishers and halon 1301 in total flooding systems: both forms of hardware are referred to in this document as "equipment".

Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council on substances that deplete the ozone layer as published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 29 September 2000.

BERR Publications Orderline
Tel: 0845 015 0010
Fax: 0845 015 0030
email: publications@berr.gsi.gov.uk

CONTACTS:

If you have any further enquiries please contact:

Alan Morgan
Department for Business Enterprise & Regulator Reform (BERR)
Tel: 020 7215 1644
email: alan.morgan@berr.gsi.gov.uk 

or

Elizabeth Chrominska
Department of Environment
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Tel: 020 7238 3163
email: elizabeth.chrominska@defra.gsi.gov.uk