Decommissioning of halon on ships – Compliance with Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000
DECOMMISSIONING A HALON SYSTEM Decommissioning is a Two Step Process
Decommissioning a Halon system from service is usually a two-step process. The first step, field decommissioning, takes place at the site where the fire protection system is located. During this step, the Halon cylinders are disconnected from the system hardware such as manifolds and piping. The second step usually takes place offsite and involves reclaiming the Halon agent from the removed cylinders.
Purpose of Decommissioning
Decommissioning is undertaken to remove the existing Halon system from service, replace the Halon system with an alternative means of fire protection, and/or recover the Halon from the system so it can be made available for use in other applications. As Halon supplies become increasingly scarce, decommissioned Halon supplies will be an important source to meet the future fire protection needs of critical applications.
Who Should Perform Decommissioning
Proper decommissioning procedures are required to assure that vital Halon resources are not inadvertently discharged into the atmosphere during the recovery process and to maintain a safe working environment for individuals involved in the decommissioning process. Accordingly, the decommissioning of Halon systems should only be performed by properly trained personnel.
Since Halon is stored in cylinders under pressure, they must be handled with great care. If the cylinder is improperly handled and the pressure is released in an uncontrolled manner, the cylinder can act as a projectile potentially causing serious injury or death to people working with the cylinder or bystanders in the vicinity. Uncontrolled pressure release can occur by damaging the cylinder valve or by inadvertently activating the discharge mechanism. In either case, the cylinder contents are discharged in a dangerous and uncontrolled manner that could result in serious injury and death.
The importance of decommissioning Halon systems only by trained and experienced professionals cannot be understated. Documented incidents of injury or death have been reported in Canada and the United States. In Canada, a service technician was killed while starting to recover Halon from a cylinder. His death was linked to improper safety procedures while performing the recovery operations.
In the United States, the FSSA reports that in all incidents reported to them, the cause of the accidents were attributed to improper handling of the cylinders by untrained and unqualified personnel. In all of these accident incidents, actuating devices had not been removed from the valves and anti-recoil devices and protection caps were not installed prior to removal of the cylinders from service. Therefore, FSSA adamantly recommends the following guidelines(1):
Only qualified and experienced fire suppression system service professionals should perform decommissioning activities.
Decommissioning personnel should be thoroughly trained in safe handling procedures as well as proper procedures related to disabling, removing, transporting, shipping, and emptying Halon cylinders.
All relevant procedures specified in manufacturer's Owner's, Service, Operation, and Maintenance manuals should be followed.
Cylinder brackets should NOT be removed and cylinders should NOT be disconnected from system piping, or moved or shipped, without first disabling the actuation devices and providing protective caps and anti-recoil devices.
Halon systems have been manufactured for over 20 years, in many places around the world, and by many different companies. As a result, many different types and models of valves and activation mechanisms are installed in Halon systems. Because of this diversity, it can be difficult to know exactly how a particular valve mechanism works or the proper procedures for safe decommissioning. Even fire protection professionals may not have encountered all possible valve designs and configurations. Ideally, systems should be decommissioned by those who installed and serviced them; however, this is not always possible. In any case, the procedures outlined in the Operations and Maintenance Manuals, Owners Manuals, Service Manuals, etc., provided by the manufacturer for the specific type of equipment installed must be followed.
Potential Risks Associated with Decommissioning
Despite the different manufacturer types and models of valves and cylinders, the risks associated with decommissioning Halon systems fall into three main categories, independent of the system type or manufacturer: 1) risks due to pressurized cylinders; 2) risks associated with heavy objects; and 3) risks associated with Halon exposure.
1. The most important hazards are the inherent risk of working with pressurized gaseous agents
Since Halon is stored in cylinders under pressure, they must be handled with great care. If the cylinder is improperly handled and the pressure is released in an uncontrolled manner, the cylinder can act as a projectile potentially causing serious injury or death to people working with the cylinder or bystanders in the vicinity. Uncontrolled pressure release can occur by damaging the cylinder valve or by inadvertently activating the discharge mechanism. In either case, the cylinder contents are discharged in a dangerous and uncontrolled manner that could result in serious injury and death.
Halon storage cylinders are designed to discharge through system pipework in less than 10 seconds. Obviously, it follows that the discharge rates of unconnected cylinders must be less than 10 seconds. The risk of damage from unimpeded agent discharge in confined or unconfined spaces is high. Mass flows through system pipework are up to 20 kg/sec (44 lbs/sec) for large cylinders². In cases of cylinder discharge without pipework, the mass flows are much higher. Once the cylinder valve is open, it generally cannot be closed.
The predominant causes of accidental discharge of Halon systems include (1) accidental automatic firing at the releasing panel/remote, (2) accidental manual activation at the cylinder/remote, (3) accidental operation of the cylinder valve, (4) damage to the discharge head/neck, and (5) high cylinder temperature above the working pressure.
This document is aimed at providing guidance in order to minimize the risks associated with working with gaseous agents. Remaining sections will discuss the failure points as well as suggest practical guidelines for personnel involved in decommissioning Halon systems.
2. Other hazards also exist related to the physical risk of moving or transporting heavy pressurized cylinders.
Risks associated with the Halon storage cylinders themselves can be attributed to their weight (a fully charged Halon storage container may weigh as much as 700 kgs or 1500 lbs). Moving and transporting these large cylinders can prove to be cumbersome and difficult. Accidental dropping or improper lifting can cause injury to handling personnel and could result in an uncontrolled release of the pressure.
3. Risks associated with Halon 1301 exposure also exist.
Several other inherent safety issues are associated with Halon system decommissioning activities such as cylinder removal and Halon reclamation. These dangers are caused by the agent itself and completely independent of the system type. The immediate dangers associated with accidental discharge of Halon include dizziness and anesthesia and/or cardiac sensitization. Cardiac sensitization occurs when a chemical causes an increased sensitivity of the heart to adrenaline producing sudden life-threatening, irregular heart beats (arrhythmia) and even heart attack, in severe cases. Toxicological risks associated with Halon exposure can be significant and can even cause death, if the exposure is at high concentrations.
Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000
Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 on “Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” came into
force in October 2000. It sets a deadline of 31 December 2003 for Member States to
decommission halon from ships. I attach an annex setting out some background on this
issue.
Certain Member States have asked the Commission to extend the deadline for
decommissioning halon by three years. However the Commission is not legally
empowered to modify the timetable on compliance that was adopted in Regulation (EC)
No 2037/2000. Moreover, the Commission believes that there is sufficient progress
within most Member States in decommissioning halon on ships and that a change to the
date would unfairly penalise those Member States and industries that have
already invested time and effort to install
halon-free fire fighting systems.
The purpose of this letter is to confirm the 31 December deadline so that there can be no
doubt about the need for Member State compliance by that date. Member States that
allow ships to keep a halon fire-fighting system after the deadline of 31 December 2003
face the risk action of legal action by the Commission as they would be in noncompliance
with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000. I would urge you,
therefore, to inform your shipping industry of the requirement to decommission noncritical
uses of halon by 31 December 2003.
Halon is an effective fire-fighting and explosion suppressive ozone-depleting chemical
that is still used to protect human life and property in situations where alternatives are not
technically and economically feasible.
Halon production was banned under the Montreal Protocol in developed countries from 1
January 1994, based on the availability of technically and economically feasible
alternatives for most of uses of halon.
Decommissioned halon could be stored in tanks
for uses where alternatives had yet to be developed. The International Maritime
Organisation reviewed the action taken by Parties to the Montreal Protocol and instituted
a requirement for new ships to be constructed without halon fire protection systems after
1 October 1994.
In keeping with the multi-national agreement under the Montreal Protocol, the European
Community banned the production of halons after 31 December 1993 and allowed
Member States to apply for essential uses of halons where it could be demonstrated that
adequate alternatives were not available from any of the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol1.
Article 4(4)(v) of the current Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000, which came into force on 1
October 2000, bans the filling of non-critical halon fire-protection systems from 1
January 2003 and requires non-critical fire protection systems and fire extinguishers
containing halons to be decommissioned by 31 December 2003.
The recovery and destruction of halon from ships is environmentally important. Halons
constitute less than 2% by weight of the historic production of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) refrigerants but are responsible for up to 25% of the ozone layer depletion due to
their high ozone depletion potential2.
They are therefore amongst the most damaging of
all chemicals to the ozone layer. The total ozone depleting tonnes of halon on EUflagged
vessels that should be replaced by alternatives is about 74% of the entire volume
of halons that was consumed by all the developing countries in 19953. This volume of
halons is therefore significant and its prompt removal, and destruction following the steps
set out in Article 16 of Regulation (EC) 2037/2000, will significantly advance global
protection of the ozone layer.
Installing halon-free fire protection systems is not a new idea. In fact, the SOLAS
Convention which affects ships internationally requires that ships constructed after 1
October 1994 do not contain a halon fire fighting system. Regulation (EC) No
2037/2000 is consistent with international requirements that recognise the availability of
alternatives that can substitute for halon on ships, and moreover, that these alternatives
have been available for at least 10 years;
Alternatives to halon include a number of agents that are acceptable for the protection of
shipboard machinery spaces such as carbon dioxide, high expansion foam and water
spray. The International Maritime Organisation has developed approval
guidelines and test methods for three new types of systems for machinery space protection: water mist,
other gaseous agents and aerosol systems. With the development of these
guidelines and
methods, there have been many halocarbon, inert gas, water mist and
aerosol
extinguishing systems installed on both new ships and existing ships.
REGULATION (EC) No 2037/2000
REGULATION (EC) No 2037/2000 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 29 June 2000
on substances that deplete the ozone layer
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee (2),
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article
251 of the Treaty (3), in the light of the joint text approved on
5 May 2000 by the Conciliation Committee,
Whereas:
(1) It is established that continued emissions of ozone- depleting substances at current levels continue to cause significant damage to the ozone layer. Ozone depletion in the southern hemisphere reached unprecedented levels in 1998. In three out of four recent springs severe ozone depletion has occurred in the Arctic region. Increased UV-B radiation resulting from ozone depletion poses a significant threat to health and environment. Further efficient measures need therefore to be taken in order to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting from such emissions.
(2) In view of its responsibilities for the environment and trade, the Community, pursuant to Decision 88/
540/EEC (4), has become a Party to the Vienna
Conven- tion for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as amended by the Parties to the Protocol at their second meeting in London and at their fourth meeting in Copenhagen.
(3) Additional measures for the protection of the ozone
layer were adopted by the Parties to the Montreal
Protocol at their seventh meeting in Vienna in December
1995 and at their ninth meeting in Montreal in
September 1997, in which the Community participated.
(4) It is necessary for action to be taken at Community level to carry out the Community's obligations under the Vienna Convention and the latest amendments and adjustments to the Montreal Protocol, in particular to phase out the production and the placing on the market of methyl bromide within the Community and to provide for a system for the licensing not only of imports but also of exports of ozone-depleting substances.
(5) In view of the earlier than anticipated availability of technologies for replacing ozone-depleting substances, it is appropriate in certain cases to provide for control measures which are stricter than those provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 of 15 December
1994 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (5) and stricter than those of the Montreal Protocol.
(6) Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 must be modified
substan- tially. It is in the interest of legal clarity and transparency to revise that Regulation completely.
(7) Under Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 the production of chlorofluorocarbons, other fully halogenated
chloro- fluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1- trichloroethane and hydrobromofluorocarbons has been phased out. The production of those controlled substances is thus prohibited, subject to possible
deroga- tion for essential uses and to meet the basic domestic needs of Parties pursuant to Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol. It is now also appropriate progressively to prohibit the placing on the market and use of those substances and of products and equipment containing those substances.
(8) Even after the phase-out of controlled substances the Commission may under certain conditions grant
exemp- tions for essential uses.
(9) The growing availability of alternatives to methyl bromide should be reflected in more substantial
reduc- tions in its production and consumption compared to the Montreal Protocol. The production and consumption of methyl bromide should cease completely subject to possible derogations for critical uses determined at Community level following the criteria established under the Montreal Protocol. Also the use of methyl bromide for quarantine and preshipment applications should be controlled. Such use should not exceed current levels and ultimately be reduced in the light of technical
devel- opment and developments under the Montreal Protocol.
(10) Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 provides for controls on the production of all other ozone-depleting substances but not for controls on the production of
hydrochloro- fluorocarbons. It is appropriate to introduce such
provi- sion to ensure that hydrochlorofluorocarbons do not continue to be used where non-ozone-depleting
alterna- tives exist. Measures for the control of the production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons should be taken by all Parties to the Montreal Protocol. A freeze on production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons would reflect that need and the Community's determination to take a leading role in this respect. The quantities produced should be adapted to the reductions envisaged for the placing on the Community market of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and to the declining demand worldwide as a consequence of reductions in the consumption of
hydrochlorofluorocar- bons required by the Protocol.
(11) The Montreal Protocol, in Article 2F(7), requires the Parties to endeavour to ensure that the use of hydro- chlorofluorocarbons is limited to those applications where other more environmentally suitable alternative substances or technologies are not available. In view of the availability of alternative and substitute technologies, the placing on the market and use of
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons and products containing
hydrochlorofluorocar- bons can be further limited. Decision VI/13 of the Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol provides that the evaluation of alternatives to
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons should take into account such factors as ozone- depleting potential, energy efficiency, potential
flamm- ability, toxicity and global warming and the potential impacts on the effective use and phase-out of
chloro- fluorocarbons and halons. Hydrochlorofluorocarbon controls under the Montreal Protocol should be
consid- erably tightened to protect the ozone layer and to reflect the availability of alternatives.
(12) Quotas for the release for free circulation in the Community of controlled substances should be allocated only for limited uses of controlled substances. Controlled substances and products containing
controlled substances from States not party to the
Montreal Protocol should not be imported.
(13) The licensing system for controlled substances should be extended to include the authorisation of exports of controlled substances, in order to monitor trade in ozone-depleting substances and to allow for exchange of information between Parties.
(14) Provision should be made for the recovery of used controlled substances, and to prevent leakages of controlled substances.
(15) The Montreal Protocol requires reporting on trade in ozone-depleting substances. Annual reporting should therefore be required from producers, importers and exporters of controlled substances.
(16) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (1).
(17) Decision X/8 of the 10th meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol encourages Parties to take measures actively, as appropriate, to discourage the production and marketing of new ozone-depleting substances and in particular of
bromochloromethane. To this end a mechanism should be established to provide for new substances to be addressed by this Regulation. The production, importation, placing on the market and use of bromochloromethane should be prohibited.
(18) The switch to new technologies or alternative products, required because the production and use of controlled substances are to be phased out, could lead to problems for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) in partic- ular. The Member States should therefore consider providing appropriate forms of assistance specifically to enable SMEs to make the necessary changes,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORYPROVISIONS
Article 1
Scope
This Regulation shall apply to the production, importation, exportation, placing on the market, use, recovery, recycling and reclamation and destruction of chlorofluorocarbons, other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetrachloride,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl bromide,
hydrobromofluorocar- bons and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, to the reporting of
infor- mation on these substances and to the importation,
exporta- tion, placing on the market and use of products and equipment containing those substances.
This Regulation shall also apply to the production, importation, placing on the market and use of substances in Annex II.
Article 2
Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation:
— ‘Protocol’ means the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as last amended and adjusted,
— ‘Party’ means any party to the Protocol,
— ‘State not party to the Protocol’, with respect to a particular controlled substance, includes any State or regional economic integration organisation that has not agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Protocol applicable to that substance,
— ‘controlled substances’ means chlorofluorocarbons, other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetra- chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methyl bromide,
hydrobro- mofluorocarbons and
hydrochlorofluorocarbons, whether alone or in a mixture, and whether they are virgin,
recov- ered, recycled or reclaimed. This definition shall not cover any controlled substance which is in a manufactured product other than a container used for the transportation or storage of that substance, or insignificant quantities of any controlled substance, originating from inadvertent or coincidental production during a manufacturing process, from unreacted feedstock, or from use as a processing agent which is present in chemical substances as trace impurities, or that is emitted during product manufacture or handling,
— ‘chlorofluorocarbons’ (CFCs) means the controlled substances listed in Group I of Annex I, including their isomers,
— ‘other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons’ means the controlled substances listed in Group II of Annex I, including their isomers,
— ‘halons’ means the controlled substances listed in Group III
of Annex I, including their isomers,
— ‘carbon tetrachloride’ means the controlled substance
speci- fied in Group IV of Annex I,
— ‘1,1,1-trichloroethane’ means the controlled substance spec- ified in Group V of Annex I,
— ‘methyl bromide’ means the controlled substance specified in Group VI of Annex I,
— ‘hydrobromofluorocarbons’ means the controlled substances listed in Group VII of Annex I, including their isomers,
— ‘hydrochlorofluorocarbons’ (HCFCs) means the controlled substances listed in Group VIII of Annex I, including their isomers,
— ‘new substances’ means substances listed in Annex II. This definition shall cover substances whether alone or in a mixture, and whether they are virgin, recovered, recycled or reclaimed. This definition shall not cover any substance which is in a manufactured product other than a container used for transportation or storage of that substance, or insignificant quantities of any new substance, originating
from inadvertent or coincidental production during a manufacturing process or from unreacted feedstock,
— ‘feedstock’ means any controlled substance or new substance that undergoes chemical transformation in a process in which it is entirely converted from its original composition and whose emissions are insignificant,
— ‘processing agent’ means controlled substances used as chemical processing agents in those applications listed in Annex VI, in installations existing at 1 September 1997, and where emissions are insignificant. The Commission shall, in the light of those criteria and in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), establish a list of undertakings in which the use of controlled substances as processing agents shall be permitted, laying down maximum emission levels for each of the undertakings concerned. It may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), amend Annex VI as well as the list of undertakings referred to above in the light of new information or technical developments, including the review provided for in Decision X/14 of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol,
— ‘producer’ means any natural or legal person manufacturing controlled substances within the Community,
— ‘production’ means the amount of controlled substances produced, less the amount destroyed by technologies approved by the Parties and less the amount entirely used as feedstock or as a processing agent in the manufacture of other chemicals. No amount recovered, recycled or reclaimed shall be considered as ‘production’,
— ‘ozone-depleting potential’ means the figure specified in the third column of Annex I representing the potential effect of each controlled substance on the ozone layer,
— ‘calculated level’ means a quantity determined by multi- plying the quantity of each controlled substance by its ozone-depleting potential and by adding together, for each group of controlled substances in Annex I separately, the resulting figures,
— ‘industrial rationalisation’ means the transfer either between Parties or within a Member State of all or a portion of the calculated level of production of one producer to another, for the purpose of optimising economic efficiency or responding to anticipated shortfalls in supply as a result of plant closures,
— ‘placing on the market’ means the supplying or making available to third persons, against payment or free of charge, of controlled substances or products containing controlled substances covered by this Regulation,
— ‘use’ means the utilisation of controlled substances in the production or maintenance, in particular refilling, of prod- ucts or equipment or in other processes except for feed- stock and processing agent uses,
— ‘reversible air-conditioning/heat pump system’ means a combination of interconnected refrigerant-containing parts constituting one closed refrigeration circuit, in which the refrigerant is circulated for the purpose of extracting and rejecting heat (i.e. cooling, heating), processes which are reversible in that the evaporators and condensers are designed to be interchangeable in their functions,
— ‘inward processing’ means a procedure provided for in Article 114(1) (a) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (1),
— ‘recovery’ means the collection and the storage of controlled substances from, for example, machinery, equip- ment and containment vessels during servicing or before disposal,
— ‘recycling’ means the reuse of a recovered controlled substance following a basic cleaning process such as filtering and drying. For refrigerants, recycling normally involves recharge back into equipment as is often carried out on site,
— ‘reclamation’ means the reprocessing and upgrading of a recovered controlled substance through such processes as filtering, drying, distillation and chemical treatment in order to restore the substance to a specified standard of performance, which often involves processing off site at a central facility,
— ‘undertaking’ means any natural or legal person who produces, recycles for placing on the market or uses controlled substances for industrial or commercial purposes in the Community, who releases such imported substances for free circulation in the Community, or who exports such substances from the Community for industrial or
commer- cial purposes.
CHAPTER II
PHASE-OUT SCHEDULE
Article 3
Control of production of controlled substances
1. Subject to paragraphs 5 to 10, the production of the following shall be prohibited:
In the light of the proposals made by Member States, the Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), apply the criteria set out in Decision IV/25 of the Parties in order to determine every year any essential uses for which the production and importation of controlled substances referred to in the first subparagraph may be permitted in the Community and those users who may take advantage of those essential uses. Such production and
importation shall be allowed only if no adequate alternatives or recycled or reclaimed controlled substances referred to in the first subparagraph are available from any of the Parties.
2. (i) Subject to paragraphs 5 to 10, each producer shall ensure that:
(a) the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in the period 1 January to 31 December
1999 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 75 % of the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in 1991;
(b) the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in the period 1 January to 31 December
2001 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 40 % of the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in 1991;
(c) the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in the period 1 January to 31 December
2003 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 25 % of the calculated level of its production of methyl bromide in 1991;
(d) it produces no methyl bromide after 31 December
2004.
The calculated levels referred to in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) shall not include the amount of methyl bromide produced for quarantine and preshipment applications.
(ii) In the light of the proposals made by Member States, the Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), apply the criteria set out in Decision IX/6 of the Parties, together with any other relevant criteria agreed by the Parties, in order to deter- mine every year any critical uses for which the
produc- tion, importation and use of methyl bromide may be permitted in the Community after 31 December 2004, the quantities and uses to be permitted and those users who may take advantage of the critical exemption. Such production and importation shall be allowed only if no adequate alternatives or recycled or reclaimed methyl bromide is available from any of the Parties.
In an emergency, where unexpected outbreaks of
partic- ular pests or diseases so require, the Commission, at the request of the competent authority of a Member State, may authorise the temporary use of methyl bromide. Such authorisation shall apply for a period not exceeding 120 days and to a quantity not exceeding 20
tonnes.
3. Subject to paragraphs 8, 9 and 10, each producer shall ensure that:
(a) the calculated level of its production of
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons in the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December
2000 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed the calculated level of its production of
hydrochlor- ofluorocarbons in 1997;
(b) the calculated level of its production of
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons in the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December
2008 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 35 % of the calculated level of its production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in 1997;
(c) the calculated level of its production of
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons in the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December
2014 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 20 % of the calculated level of its production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in 1997;
(d) the calculated level of its production of
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons in the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December
2020 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 15 % of the calculated level of its production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in 1997;
(e) it produces no hydrochlorofluorocarbons after 31
December 2025.
Before 31 December 2002, the Commission shall review the level of production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons with a view to determining:
— whether a production cut ahead of the year 2008 should be proposed, and/or
— whether a change to the levels of production provided for under (b), (c) and (d) should be proposed.
This review will take into account the development of hydro- chlorofluorocarbon consumption worldwide, the
hydrochloro- fluorocarbon exports from the Community and other OECD countries and the technical and economic availability of
altern- ative substances or technologies as well as relevant inter- national developments under the Protocol.
4. The Commission shall issue licences to those users
identi- fied in accordance with the second subparagraph of paragraph
1 and paragraph 2(ii) and shall notify them of the use for which they have authorisation and the substances and
quant- ities thereof that they are authorised to use.
5. A producer may be authorised by the competent authority of the Member State in which that producer's
rele- vant production is situated to produce the controlled substances referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 for the purpose of meeting the requests licensed in accordance with paragraph 4. The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission in advance of its intention to issue any such
authorisation.
6. The competent authority of the Member State in which a producer's relevant production is situated may authorise that producer to exceed the calculated levels of production laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 in order to satisfy the basic domestic needs of Parties pursuant to Article 5 of the Protocol, provided that the additional calculated levels of production of the Member State concerned do not exceed those permitted for that purpose by Articles 2A to 2E and 2H of the Protocol for the periods in question. The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission in advance of its intention to issue any such
authorisation.
7. To the extent permitted by the Protocol, the competent authority of the Member State in which a producer's relevant production is situated may authorise that producer to exceed the calculated levels of production laid down in paragraphs 1
and 2 in order to satisfy any essential, or critical, uses of Parties at their request. The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission in advance of its
inten- tion to issue any such
authorisation.
8. To the extent permitted by the Protocol, the competent authority of the Member State in which a producer's relevant production is situated may authorise that producer to exceed the calculated levels of production laid down in paragraphs 1 to 7 for the purpose of industrial rationalisation within the Member State concerned, provided that the calculated levels of production of that Member State do not exceed the sum of the calculated levels of production of its domestic producers as laid down in paragraphs 1 to 7 for the periods in question. The competent authority of the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission in advance of its intention to issue any such
authorisation.
9. To the extent permitted by the Protocol, the Commission may, in agreement with the competent authority of the Member State in which a producer's relevant production is situated, authorise that producer to exceed the calculated levels of production laid down in paragraphs 1 to 8 for the purpose of industrial rationalisation between Member States, provided that the combined calculated levels of production of the Member States concerned do not exceed the sum of the
calcu- lated levels of production of their domestic producers as laid down in paragraphs 1 to 8 for the periods in question. The agreement of the competent authority of the Member State in which it is intended to reduce production shall also be required.
10. To the extent permitted by the Protocol, the
Commis- sion may, in agreement with both the competent authority of the Member State in which a producer's relevant production is situated and the government of the third Party concerned, authorise a producer to combine the calculated levels of production laid down in paragraphs 1 to 9 with the calculated levels of production allowed to a producer in a third Party under the Protocol and that producer's national legislation for the purpose of industrial rationalisation with a third Party, provided that the combined calculated levels of production by the two producers do not exceed the sum of the calculated levels of production allowed to the Community producer under paragraphs 1 to 9 and the calculated levels of production allowed to the third Party producer under the Protocol and any relevant national legislation.
Article 4
Control of the placing on the market and use of controlled substances
1. Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5, the placing on the market and the use of the following controlled substances shall be prohibited:
(a) chlorofluorocarbons;
(b) other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons; (c)
halons;
(d) carbon tetrachloride;
(e) 1,1,1-trichloroethane; and
(f) hydrobromofluorocarbons.
The Commission may, following a request by a competent authority of a Member State and in accordance with the
proce- dure referred to in Article 18(2), authorise a temporary
exemp- tion to allow the use of chlorofluorocarbons until 31
December 2004 in delivery mechanisms for hermetically sealed devices designed for implantation in the human body for delivery of measured doses of medication, and until 31
December 2008, in existing military applications, where it is demonstrated that, for a particular use, technically and economically feasible alternative substances or technologies are not available or cannot be used.
2. (i) Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5, each producer and importer shall ensure that:
(a) the calculated level of methyl bromide which it places on the market or uses for its own account in the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 75 % of the calculated level of methyl bromide which it placed on the market or used for its own account in 1991;
(b) the calculated level of methyl bromide which it places on the market or uses for its own account in the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 40 % of the calculated level of methyl bromide which it placed on the market or used for its own account in 1991;
(c) the calculated level of methyl bromide which it places on the market or uses for its own account in the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003 and in each 12-month period thereafter does not exceed 25 % of the calculated level of methyl bromide which it placed on the market or used for its own account in 1991;
(d) it does not place any methyl bromide on the market or use any for its own account after 31
December 2004.
To the extent permitted by the Protocol, the
Commis- sion shall, following a request by a competent authority of a Member State and in accordance with the
proce- dure referred to in Article 18(2), adjust the calculated level of methyl bromide referred to in Article 3(2)
(i) (c) and subparagraph (c) where it is demonstrated that this is necessary to meet the needs of that Member State, because technically and economically feasible
alterna- tives or substitutes that are acceptable from the stand- point of environment and health are not available or cannot be used.
The Commission, in consultation with Member States, shall encourage the development, including research, and the use of alternatives to methyl bromide as soon as possible.
(ii) Subject to paragraph 4, the placing on the market and the use of methyl bromide by undertakings other than producers and importers shall be prohibited after 31
December 2005.
(iii) The calculated levels referred to in subparagraphs
(i) (a), (b), (c) and (d) and (ii) shall not include the amount of methyl bromide produced or imported for quarantine and preshipment applications. For the period 1 January
2001 to 31 December 2001 and for each 12-month period thereafter, each producer and importer shall ensure that the calculated level of methyl bromide which it places on the market or uses for its own account for quarantine and preshipment applications shall not exceed the average of the calculated level of methyl bromide which it placed on the market or used for its own account for quarantine and preshipment in the years 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Each year Member States shall report to the
Commis- sion the quantities of methyl bromide authorised for quarantine and preshipment used in their territory, the purposes for which methyl bromide was used, and the progress in evaluating and using alternatives.
The Commission shall, in accordance with the
proce- dure referred to in Article 18(2), take measures to reduce the calculated level of methyl bromide which producers and importers may place on the market or use for their own account for quarantine and
preship- ment in the light of technical and economic availability of alternative substances or technologies and of the relevant international developments under the Protocol.
(iv) The total quantitative limits for the placing on the market or use for their own account by producers and importers of methyl bromide are set out in Annex III.
3. (i) Subject to paragraphs 4 and 5 and to Article 5(5): (a) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons
which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 1999 to 31 December 1999 and in the
12-month period thereafter shall not exceed the sum of:
— 2,6 % of the calculated level of
chlorofluorocar- bons which producers and importers placed on the market or used for their own account in
1989, and
— the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers placed on the market or used for their own account in 1989;
(b) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 2001 to 31 December 2001 shall not exceed the sum of:
— 2,0 % of the calculated level of
chlorofluorocar- bons which producers and importers placed on the market or used for their own account in
1989, and
— the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers placed on the market or used for their own account in 1989;
(c) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 2002 to 31 December 2002 shall not exceed 85 % of the level calculated pursuant to subparagraph (b);
(d) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 2003 to 31 December 2003 shall not exceed 45 % of the level calculated pursuant to subparagraph (b);
(e) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 2004 to 31 December 2004 and in each
12-month period thereafter shall not exceed 30 %
of the level calculated pursuant to subparagraph (b);
(f) the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which producers and importers place on the market or use for their own account in the period 1
January 2008 to 31 December 2008 and in each
12-month period thereafter shall not exceed 25 %
of the level calculated pursuant to subparagraph (b);
(g) producers and importers shall not place hydro- chlorofluorocarbons on the market or use them for their own account after 31 December 2009;
(h) each producer and importer shall ensure that the calculated level of hydrochlorofluorocarbons which it places on the market or uses for its own account in the period 1 January 2001 to 31 December
2001 and in the 12-month period thereafter shall not exceed, as a percentage of the calculated levels set out in (a) to (c), its percentage market share in
1996.
(ii) Before 1 January 2001, the Commission shall, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article
18(2), determine a mechanism for the allocation of quotas to each producer and importer of the calculated levels set out in (d) to (f), applicable for the period 1
January 2003 to 31 December 2003 and for each
12-month period thereafter.
(iii) In the case of producers, the quantities referred to in this paragraph shall apply to the amounts of virgin hydrochlorofluorocarbons which they place on the market or use for their own account within the Community and which were produced in the Community.
(iv) The total quantitative limits for the placing on the market or use for their own account by producers and importers of hydrochlorofluorocarbons are set out in Annex III.
4. (i) (a) Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not apply to the placing on the market of controlled substances for
destruc- tion within the Community by technologies approved by the Parties;
(b) paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall not apply to the placing on the market and use of controlled substances if:
— they are used for feedstock or as a processing agent; or
— they are used to meet the licensed requests for essential uses of those users identified as laid down in Article 3(1) and to meet the licensed requests for critical uses of those users identified as laid down in Article 3(2) or to meet the requests for temporary emergency applications authorised in accordance with Article 3(2) (ii).
(ii) Paragraph 1 shall not apply to the placing on the market, by undertakings other than producers, of controlled substances for the maintenance or servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment until
31 December 1999.
(iii) Paragraph 1 shall not apply to the use of controlled substances for the maintenance or servicing of
refrig- eration and air-conditioning equipment or in finger- printing processes until 31 December 2000.
(iv) Paragraph 1(c) shall not apply to the placing on the market and use of halons that have been recovered, recycled or reclaimed in existing fire protection systems until 31 December 2002 or to the placing on the market and use of haloes for critical uses as set out in Annex VII. Each year the competent authorities of the Member States shall notify to the Commission the quantities of haloes used for critical uses, the measures taken to reduce their emissions and an estimate of such emissions, and the current activities to identify and use adequate alternatives. Each year the Commission shall review the critical uses listed in Annex VII and, if necessary, adopt modifications in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2).
(v) Except for uses listed in Annex VII, fire protection systems and fire extinguishers containing halons shall be decommissioned before 31 December 2003, and halons shall be recovered in accordance with Article 16.
5. Any producer or importer entitled to place controlled substances referred to in this Article on the market or use them for its own account may transfer that right in respect of all or any quantities of that group of substances fixed in accordance with this Article to any other producer or importer of that group of substances within the Community. Any such transfer shall be notified in advance to the Commission. The transfer of the right to place on the market or use shall not imply the further right to produce or to import.
6. The importation and placing on the market of products and equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons, other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetrachloride,
1,1,1-trichloroethane and hydrobromofluorocarbons shall be prohibited, with the exception of products and equipment for which the use of the respective controlled substance has been authorised in accordance with the second subparagraph of Article 3(1) or is listed in Annex VII. Products and equipment shown to be manufactured before the entry into force of this Regulation shall not be covered by this prohibition.
Article 5
Control of the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons
1. Subject to the following conditions, the use of hydro- chlorofluorocarbons shall be prohibited:
(a) in aerosols; (b) as solvents:
(i) in non-contained solvent uses including open-top cleaners and open-top dewatering systems without refrigerated areas, in adhesives and mould-release agents when not employed in closed equipment, for drain cleaning where hydrochlorofluorocarbons are not recovered;
(ii) from 1 January 2002, in all solvent uses, with the exception of precision cleaning of electrical and other components in aerospace and aeronautics applications where the prohibition shall enter into force on 31
December 2008;
(c) as refrigerants:
(i) in equipment produced after 31 December 1995 for the following uses:
— in non-confined direct-evaporation systems,
— in domestic refrigerators and freezers,
— in motor vehicle, tractor and off-road vehicle or trailer air conditioning systems operating on any energy source, except for military uses where the prohibition shall enter into force on 31 December
2008,
— in road public-transport air-conditioning,
(ii) in rail transport air-conditioning, in equipment produced after 31 December 1997;
(iii) from 1 January 2000, in equipment produced after 31
December 1999 for the following uses:
— in public and distribution cold stores and ware- houses,
— for equipment of 150 kw and over, shaft input, (iv) from 1 January 2001, in all other refrigeration and
air-conditioning equipment produced after 31
December 2000, with the exception of fixed
air-condi- tioning 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;
(v) from 1 January 2010, the use of virgin
hydrochloro- fluorocarbons shall be prohibited in the maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment existing at that date; all
hydrochlorofluoro- carbons shall be prohibited from 1 January 2015.
Before 31 December 2008 the Commission shall review the technical and economic availability of alter- natives to recycled
hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
The review shall take into account the availability of technically and economically feasible alternatives to hydrochlorofluorocarbons in existing refrigeration equipment with the view to avoiding undue abandon- ment of equipment.
Alternatives for consideration should have a
signifi- cantly less harmful effect on the environment than
hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
The Commission shall submit the result of the review to the European Parliament and to the Council. It shall, as appropriate, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), take a decision on whether to adapt the date of 1 January 2015;
(d) for the production of foams:
(i) for the production of all foams except integral skin foams for use in safety applications and rigid insulating foams;
(ii) from 1 October 2000, for the production of integral skin foams for use in safety applications and
polyethy- lene rigid insulating foams;
(iii) from 1 January 2002, for the production of extruded polystyrene rigid insulating foams, except where used for insulated transport;
(iv) from 1 January 2003, for the production of
polyur- ethane foams for appliances, of polyurethane flexible faced laminate foams and of polyurethane sandwich panels, except where these last two are used for
insu- lated transport;
(v) from 1 January 2004, for the production of all foams, including polyurethane spray and block foams;
(e) as carrier gas for sterilisation substances in closed systems, in equipment produced after 31 December 1997;
(f) in all other applications.
2. By way of derogation from paragraph l, the use of hydro- chlorofluorocarbons shall be permitted:
(a) in laboratory uses, including research and development; (b) as feedstock;
(c) as a processing agent.
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons as fire-fighting agents in existing fire protection systems may be permitted for replacing halons in applications listed in Annex VII under the following conditions:
— halons contained in such fire protection systems shall be replaced completely,
— halons withdrawn shall be destroyed,
— 70 % of the destruction costs shall be covered by the supplier of the
hydrochlorofluorocarbons,
— each year, Member States making use of this provision shall notify to the Commission the number of installations and the quantities of halons concerned.
4. The importation and placing on the market of products and equipment containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons for which a use restriction is in force under this Article shall be
prohib- ited from the date on which the use restriction comes into force. Products and equipment shown to be manufactured before the date of that use restriction shall not be covered by this prohibition.
5. Until 31 December 2009, the use restrictions under this Article shall not apply to the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons for the production of products for export to countries where the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in those products is still permitted.
6. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), in the light of experience with the operation of this Regulation or to reflect technical progress, modify the list and the dates set out in paragraph 1, but in no case extend the periods set out therein, without prejudice to the exemptions provided for in paragraph 7.
7. The Commission may, following a request by a competent authority of a Member State and in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), authorise a time- limited exemption to allow the use and placing on the market of hydrochlorofluorocarbons in derogation from paragraph 1 and Article 4(3) where it is demonstrated that, for a particular use, technically and economically feasible alternative substances or technologies are not available or cannot be used. The Commission shall immediately inform the Member States of any exemptions granted.
CHAPTER III
TRADE
Article 6
Licences to import from third countries
1. The release for free circulation in the Community or inward processing of controlled substances shall be subject to the presentation of an import
licence. Such licences shall be issued by the Commission after verification of compliance with Articles 6, 7, 8 and 13. The Commission shall forward a copy of each licence to the competent authority of the Member State
into which the substances concerned are to be imported. Each Member State shall appoint a competent authority for that purpose. Controlled substances listed in groups I, II, III, IV and V as listed in Annex I shall not be imported for inward processing.
2. The licence, when related to an inward-processing
proce- dure, shall be issued only if the controlled substances are to be used in the customs territory of the Community under the system of suspension provided for in Article 114(2) (a) of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92, and under the condition that the compensating products are re-exported to a State where the production, consumption or import of that controlled substance is not prohibited. The licence shall only be issued following approval of the competent authority of the Member State in which the inward-processing operation is to take place.
3. A request for a licence shall state:
(a) the names and the addresses of the importer and the exporter;
(b) the country of exportation;
(c) the country of final destination if controlled substances are to be used in the customs territory of the Community under the inward-processing procedure as referred to in paragraph 2;
(d) a description of each controlled substance, including:
— the commercial description,
— the description and the CN code as laid down in Annex
IV,
— the nature of the substance (virgin, recovered or reclaimed),
— the quantity of the substance in kilograms; (e) the purpose of the proposed import;
(f) if known, the place and date of the proposed importation and, where relevant, any changes to these data.
4. The Commission may require a certificate attesting the nature of substances to be imported.
5. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), modify the list of items mentioned in paragraph 3 and Annex IV.
Article 7
Imports of controlled substances from third countries
The release for free circulation in the Community of controlled substances imported from third countries shall be subject to quantitative limits. Those limits shall be determined and quotas allocated to undertakings for the period 1 January to 31
December 1999 and for each 12-month period thereafter in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2). They shall be allocated only:
(a) for controlled substances of groups VI and VIII as referred to in Annex I;
(b) for controlled substances if they are used for essential or critical uses or for quarantine and preshipment
applica- tions;
(c) for controlled substances if they are used for feedstock or as processing agents; or
(d) to undertakings having destruction facilities for recovered controlled substances if the controlled substances are used for destruction in the Community by technologies approved by the Parties.
Article 8
Imports of controlled substances from a State not party to the Protocol
The release for free circulation in the Community or inward processing of controlled substances imported from any State not party to the Protocol shall be prohibited.
Article 9
Imports of products containing controlled substances from a State not party to the Protocol
1. The release for free circulation in the Community of products and equipment containing controlled substances imported from any State not Party to the Protocol shall be prohibited.
2. A list of products containing controlled substances and of Combined Nomenclature codes is given in Annex V for guidance of the Member States' customs authorities. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), add to, delete items from or amend this list in the light of the lists established by the Parties.
Article 10
Imports of products produced using controlled substances from a State not party to the Protocol
In the light of the decision of the Parties, the Council shall, on a proposal from the Commission, adopt rules applicable to the release for free circulation in the Community of products which were produced using controlled substances but do not contain substances which can be positively identified as controlled substances, imported from any State not party to the Protocol. The identification of such products shall comply with periodical technical advice given to the Parties. The Council shall act by a qualified majority.
Article 11
Export of controlled substances or products containing controlled substances
1. Exports from the Community of chlorofluorocarbons, other fully halogenated chlorofluorocarbons,
halons, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and
hydrobromofluorocar- bons or products and equipment, other than personal effects, containing those substances or whose continuing function relies on supply of those substances shall be prohibited. This
prohibition shall not apply to exports of:
(a) controlled substances produced under Article 3(6) to satisfy the basic domestic needs of Parties pursuant to Article 5 of the Protocol;
(b) controlled substances produced under Article 3(7) to satisfy essential or critical uses of Parties;
(c) products and equipment containing controlled substances produced under Article 3(5) or imported under Article 7(b);
(d) products and equipment containing halon, to satisfy critical uses listed in Annex VII;
(e) controlled substances to be used for feedstock and processing agent applications.
2. Exports from the Community of methyl bromide to any
State not party to the Protocol shall be prohibited.
3. From 1 January 2004, exports from the Community of hydrochlorofluorocarbons to any State not party to the Protocol shall be prohibited. The Commission shall, in accord- ance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), examine the above date in the light of relevant international develop- ments under the Protocol and modify it as appropriate.
Article 12
Export authorisation
1. Exports from the Community of controlled substances shall be subject to
authorisation. Such export authorisation shall be issued by the Commission to undertakings for the period 1 January to 31 December 2001 and for each 12- month period thereafter after verification of compliance with Article 11. The Commission shall forward a copy of each export authorisation to the competent authority of the Member State concerned.
2. An application for an export authorisation shall state: (a) the name and address of the exporter and of the producer,
where it is not the same;
(b) a description of the controlled
substance(s) intended for export, including:
— the commercial description,
— the description and the CN code as laid down in Annex
IV,
— the nature of the substance (virgin, recovered or reclaimed);
(c) the total quantity of each substance to be exported;
(d) the country/countries of final destination of the controlled
substance(s);
(e) the purpose of the exports.
3. Each exporter shall notify the Commission of any changes which might occur during the period of validity of the authorisation in relation to the data notified under paragraph
2. Each exporter shall report to the Commission in accordance with Article 19.
Article 13
Exceptional authorisation to trade with a State not party to the Protocol
By way of derogation from Articles 8, 9(1), 10, 11(2) and (3), trade with any State not party to the Protocol in controlled substances and products which contain or are produced by means of one or more such substances may be authorised by the Commission, to the extent that the State not party to the Protocol is determined by a meeting of the Parties to be in full compliance with the Protocol and has submitted data to that effect as specified in Article 7 of the Protocol. The Commission shall act in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article
18(2) of this Regulation.
Article 14
Trade with a territory not covered by the Protocol
1. Subject to any decision taken under paragraph 2, Articles
8, 9, 11(2) and (3) shall apply to any territory not covered by the Protocol as they apply to any State not party to the Protocol.
2. Where the authorities of a territory not covered by the Protocol are in full compliance with the Protocol and have submitted data to that effect as specified in Article 7 of the Protocol, the Commission may decide that some or all of the provisions of Articles 8, 9 and 11 of this Regulation shall not apply in respect of that territory.
The Commission shall take its decision in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2).
Article 15
Notification of Member States
The Commission shall immediately notify the Member States of any measures it adopts pursuant to Articles 6, 7, 9, 12, 13 and
14.
CHAPTER IV
EMISSION CONTROL
Article 16
Recovery of used controlled substances
1. Controlled substances contained in:
— refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump equipment, except domestic refrigerators and freezers,
— equipment containing solvents,
— fire protection systems and fire extinguishers,
shall be recovered for destruction by technologies approved by the Parties or by any other environmentally acceptable
destruc- tion technology, or for recycling or reclamation during the
servicing and maintenance of equipment or before the
disman- tling or disposal of equipment.
2. Controlled substances contained in domestic refrigerators and freezers shall be recovered and dealt with as provided for in paragraph 1 after 31 December 2001.
3. Controlled substances contained in products, installations and equipment other than those mentioned in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be recovered, if practicable, and dealt with as provided in paragraph 1.
4. Controlled substances shall not be placed on the market in disposable containers, except for essential uses.
5. Member States shall take steps to promote the recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction of controlled substances and shall assign to users, refrigeration technicians or other appropriate bodies responsibility for ensuring compliance with the provisions of paragraph 1. Member States shall define the minimum qualification requirements for the personnel involved. By 31 December 2001 at the latest, Member States shall report to the Commission on the programmes related to the above qualification requirements. The Commission shall evaluate the measures taken by the Member States. In the light of this evaluation and of technical and other relevant
informa- tion, the Commission, as appropriate, shall propose measures regarding those minimum qualification requirements.
6. Member States shall report to the Commission by 31
December 2001 on the systems established to promote the recovery of used controlled substances, including the facilities available and the quantities of used controlled substances recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed.
7. This Article shall be without prejudice to Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (1) or to measures adopted following Article 2(2) of that Directive.
Article 17
Leakages of controlled substances
1. All precautionary measures practicable shall be taken to prevent and minimise leakages of controlled substances. In particular, fixed equipment with a refrigerating fluid charge of more than 3 kg shall be checked for leakages annually. Member States shall define the minimum qualification require- ments for the personnel involved. By 31 December 2001 at the latest, Member States shall report to the Commission on the programmes related to the above qualification requirements. The Commission shall evaluate the measures taken by the Member States. In the light of this evaluation and of technical and other relevant information, the Commission, as
appro- priate, shall propose measures regarding those minimum
quali- fication requirements.
The Commission shall promote the preparation of European standards relating to the control of leakages and to the recovery of substances leaking from commercial and industrial air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, from
fire-protec- tion systems and from equipment containing solvents as well as, as appropriate, to technical requirements with respect to the leakproofness of refrigeration systems.
2. All precautionary measures practicable shall be taken to prevent and minimise leakages of methyl bromide from
fumi- gation installations and operations in which methyl bromide is used. Whenever methyl bromide is used in soil fumigation, the use of virtually impermeable films for a sufficient time, or other techniques ensuring at least the same level of environ- mental protection shall be mandatory. Member States shall define the minimum qualification requirements for the personnel involved.
3. All precautionary measures practicable shall be taken to prevent and minimise leakages of controlled substances used as feedstock and as processing agents.
4. All precautionary measures practicable shall be taken to prevent and minimise any leakage of controlled substances inadvertently produced in the course of the manufacture of other chemicals.
5. The Commission shall develop as appropriate and ensure the dissemination of notes describing best available
technolo- gies and best environmental practices concerning the
preven- tion and minimisation of leakages and emissions of controlled substances.
CHAPTER V
COMMITTEE, REPORTING, INSPECTION AND PENALTIES
Article 18
Committee
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee.
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at one month.
3. The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
Article 19
Reporting
1. Every year before 31 March, each producer, importer and exporter of controlled substances shall communicate to the Commission, sending a copy to the competent authority of the Member State concerned, data as specified below for each
controlled substance in respect of the period 1 January to 31
December of the preceding year.
The format of this report shall be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2).
(a) Each producer shall communicate:
— its total production of each controlled substance,
— any production placed on the market or used for the producer's own account within the Community,
sepa- rately identifying production for feedstock, processing agent, quarantine and preshipment and other uses,
— any production to meet the essential uses in the
Community, licensed in accordance with Article 3(4),
— any production authorised under Article 3(6) to satisfy basic domestic needs of Parties pursuant to Article 5 of the Protocol,
— any production authorised under Article 3(7) to satisfy essential, or critical, uses of Parties,
— any increase in production authorised under Article
3(8), (9) and (10) in connection with industrial
rationa- lisation,
— any quantities recycled, reclaimed or destroyed,
— any stocks.
(b) Each importer, including any producers who also import, shall communicate:
— any quantities released for free circulation in the Community, separately identifying imports for feed- stock and processing-agent uses, for essential or critical uses licensed in accordance with Article 3(4), for use in quarantine and preshipment applications and for destruction,
— any quantities of controlled substances entering the
Community under the inward-processing procedure,
— any quantities of used controlled substances imported for recycling or reclamation,
— any stocks.
(c) Each exporter, including any producers who also export, shall communicate:
— any quantities of controlled substances exported from the Community, including substances which are re- exported under the inward processing procedure,
sepa- rately identifying quantities exported to each country of destination and quantities exported for feedstock and processing agent uses, essential uses, critical uses,
quar- antine and preshipment uses, to meet the basic domestic needs of Parties pursuant to Article 5 of the Protocol and for destruction,
— any quantities of used controlled substances exported for recycling or reclamation,
— any stocks.
2. Every year before 31 December, Member States' customs authorities shall return to the Commission the stamped used licence documents.
3. Every year before 31 March, each user who has been authorised to take advantage of an essential use exemption under Article 3(1) shall, for each substance for which an authorisation has been received, report to the Commission, sending a copy to the competent authority of the Member State concerned, the nature of the use, the quantities used during the previous year, the quantities held in stock, any quantities recycled or destroyed, and the quantity of products containing those substances placed on the Community market and/or exported.
4. Every year before 31 March, each undertaking which has been authorised to use controlled substances as a processing agent shall report to the Commission the quantities used during the previous year, and an estimate of the emissions which occurred during such use.
5. The Commission shall take appropriate steps to protect the confidentiality of the information submitted to it.
6. The Commission may, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 18(2), modify the reporting requirements laid down in paragraphs 1 to 4, to meet commitments under the Protocol or to improve the practical application of those reporting requirements.
Article 20
Inspection
1. In carrying out the tasks assigned to it by this Regulation, the Commission may obtain all the information from the governments and competent authorities of the Member States and from undertakings.
2. When requesting information from an undertaking the Commission shall at the same time forward a copy of the request to the competent authority of the Member State within the territory of which the undertaking's seat is situated, together with a statement of the reasons why that information is required.
3. The competent authorities of the Member States shall carry out the investigations which the Commission considers necessary under this Regulation. Member States shall also conduct random checks on imports of controlled substances, and communicate the schedules and results of those checks to the Commission.
4. Subject to the agreement of the Commission and of the competent authority of the Member State within the territory of which the investigations are to be made, the officials of the Commission shall assist the officials of that authority in the performance of their duties.
5. The Commission shall take appropriate action to promote adequate exchange of information and cooperation between national authorities and between national authorities and the Commission. The Commission shall take appropriate
steps to protect the confidentiality of information obtained under this Article.
Article 21
Penalties
Member States shall determine the necessary penalties
applic- able to breaches of this Regulation. The penalties shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member States shall notify the provisions regarding penalties to the Commission by
31 December 2000 at the latest and shall also notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting such provisions.
CHAPTER VI
NEW SUBSTANCES
Article 22
New substances
1. The production, release for free circulation in the Community and inward processing, placing on the market and use of new substances in Annex II are prohibited. This
prohibi- tion does not apply to new substances if they are used as feedstock.
2. The Commission shall, as appropriate, make proposals to include in Annex II any substances that are not controlled substances but that are found by the Scientific Assessment Panel under the Protocol to have a significant ozone-depleting potential, including on possible exemptions from paragraph 1.
CHAPTER VII
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 23
Repeal
Regulation (EC) No 3093/94 shall be repealed as from 1
October 2000.
References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Article 24
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European
Communi- ties.
It shall apply from 1 October 2000.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Luxembourg, 29 June 2000.
For the European Parliament
The President
N. FONTAINE
For the Council
The President
M. MARQUES DA COSTA
ANNEX VI
Processes in which controlled substances are used as processing agents
— Use of carbon tetrachloride for the elimination of nitrogen trichloride in the production of chlorine and caustic soda,
— Use of carbon tetrachloride in the recovery of chlorine in tail gas from production of chlorine,
— Use of carbon tetrachloride in the manufacture of chlorinated rubber,
— Use of carbon tetrachloride in the manufacture of isobutyl acetophenone (ibuprofen-analgesic),
— Use of carbon tetrachloride in the manufacture of
polyphenyleneterephtalamide,
— Use of CFC-11 in manufacture of fine synthetic polyolefin fibre sheet,
— Use of CFC-113 in the manufacture of vinorelbine (pharmaceutical product),
— Use of CFC-12 in the photochemical synthesis of perfluoropolyetherpolyperoxide precursors of
Z-perfluoropolyethers and difunctional derivatives,
— Use of CFC-113 in the reduction of perfluoropolyetherpolyperoxide intermediate for production of perfluoropolyether
diesters,
— Use of CFC-113 in the preparation of perfluoropolyether diols with high functionality,
— Use of carbon tetrachloride in the production of tralomethrine (insecticide).
Also the use of HCFCs in the above processes when used to replace CFC or carbon tetrachloride.
ANNEX VII
Critical uses of halon
Use of halon 1301:
— in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and dry bays,
— in military land vehicles and naval vessels for the protection of spaces occupied by personnel and engine
compart- ments,
— for the making inert of occupied spaces where flammable liquid and/or gas release could occur in the military and oil, gas and petrochemical sector, and in existing cargo ships,
— for the making inert of existing manned communication and command centres of the armed forces or others, essential for national security,
— for the making inert of spaces where there may be a risk of dispersion of radioactive matter,
— in the Channel Tunnel and associated installations and rolling stock. Use of halon 1211:
— in hand-held fire extinguishers and fixed extinguisher equipment for engines for use on board aircraft,
— in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and dry bays,
— in fire extinguishers essential to personal safety used for initial extinguishing by fire brigades,
— in military and police fire extinguishers for use on persons.
REGULATION (EC) No 2037/2000