EU strengthens efforts to restore and protect the ozone layer
- Higher EU ambition to further reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances (ODS)
- Measures for the recovery of ozone-depleting substances from building foams
- EU rules aligned with the European Green Deal and international agreements
On Tuesday, Ϸվ and Council reached a partial deal regarding measures to cut down emissions of substances that damage the ozone layer.
Negotiators confirmed that the production, sale, use, imports and exports of ODS are not allowed. Strict exemptions are foreseen for the use of ODS as feedstock (to produce other substances, for example in the pharmaceutical or chemical industry), as process agents, in laboratories and for fire protection in special applications such as military equipment and airplanes.
On the basis of the four-yearly assessments under the Montreal Protocol or, alternatively, by the Commission itself, the Commission will be required to establish and update a list of ODS for which the use as feedstock is prohibited and to regularly assess the availability of alternatives.
The updated EU framework on ODS introduces recovery, recycling and reclamation requirements for the handling of ODS in building materials during renovations (found in particular in insulation foams), which is the main source of remaining ODS emissions in the EU. Negotiators agreed on the importance to make available appropriate training programmes for personnel that carry out the recovery of ODS contained in foams from building materials.
In order to improve control and monitoring of ODS as well as reduce potential adverse environmental and health impacts, the rules related to the prevention of unintentional release, leak repairs, and recovery, recycling and destruction should also be extended to all ODS covered by the EU legislation (including to those not covered by the Montreal Protocol, listed in ).
Quote
Rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd (EPP, SE) said: “The prevention of emissions from ozone-depleting substances is key in preventing adverse health and environmental effects resulting from a damaged ozone layer and contributing to greenhouse gas savings in line with the Union’s climate target. I am happy that we could agree today, between the institutions, and support an ambitious and balanced proposal to continue making efforts to improve and restore the ozone layer.”
Next steps
The provisional agreement is foreseen to be adopted by written procedure by Ϸվ and Council, following the alignment of remaining provisions after a deal will be reached on the fluorinated gases regulation. The two institutions will then have to formally approve the agreement before it can come into force.
Background
Even if the EU has already achieved its phase-out goals under the 1987 under existing legislation, ODS emissions need to be cut further to comply with the goals of the , the 2030 and 2050 targets set by the EU Climate Law and the .
Ozone-depleting substances are human-made chemicals that, once emitted, reach the upper atmosphere and destroy the protective ozone layer. They have significant adverse impacts on human health and the environment and are greenhouse gases with high global warming potential. Such substances include halons (used in fire extinguishers), methyl bromide (to control pests) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (used in fridges and air conditioning systems).
Kontakty:
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Dana POPP
Press Officer