ODS
ODS are chemicals that are derivatives of aliphatic hydrocarbons (methane, ethane and propane) containing chlorine and/or bromine atoms and, most often, also fluorine, and exhibit ozone depleting potential (ODP).
The ODS currently controlled by the Montreal Protocol are divided into the following groups:
→ fully substituted chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)
→ Fully substituted bromofluoro- and romochlorofluorocarbons (halons)
→ partially substituted chlorofluorocarbons (hydrochlorofluorocarbons – HCFC)
→ Partially substituted bromofluorocarbons (a.k.a. hydrobromofluorocarbons – HBFC)
→ carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)
→ 1,1,1-trichloroetan (CCl3CH3) ( metylochloroform)
→ bromochlorometan (CH2BrCl)
→ bromometan (CH3Br)
Controlled substances
ODS that are Montreal Protocol (PM) controlled substances are divided into ‘Annexes’ and ‘Groups’ in the PM as follows:
appendix | Group | Substances |
A | I | CFC basic, i.e. CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC-115 |
A | II | Halons 1211, 1301, 2402 |
B | I | Other CFCs listed in the PM |
B | II | Carbon tetrachloride |
B | III | 1,1,1-trichloroethane |
C | I | HCFC |
C | II | HBFC |
C | III | Bromochloromethame |
E | V | Methyl bromide |
Attention!
In accordance with the definition of a controlled substance in the Montreal Protocol (PM), substances contained in mixtures are also subject to control under the PM.
From 11 March 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/590 applies, replacing Regulation (EC) 1005/2009.
The list of substances can be found in:
– Annex I – substances that deplete the ozone layer
– Annex II – ozone-depleting substances not controlled under the Montreal Protocol
Substances listed in Annexes I and II of Regulation (EU) 2024/590 mean substances occurring alone or in mixtures.
Substitutes for ODS
Due to the phasing out of ODS resulting from the PM, there was a need for their replacement. A number of replacements for ODS are currently available on the market, the most important of which are:
– HFCs and PFCs (hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons)
– HC group substances (hydrocarbons).
Substances in these groups do not contain chlorine or bromine and therefore do not deplete the ozone layer. Nevertheless, HFCs and PFCs are greenhouse gases (F-GASES) with a very high global warming potential (GWP) and therefore it is currently preferred, where possible, to use hydrocarbons rather than HFCs or PFCs instead of ODS. However, the use of hydrocarbons is limited as they are flammable. In addition to HFCs, PFCs and hydrocarbons, other substances, e.g. carbon dioxide or ammonia, are used as substitutes for ODS in some applications: unsaturated HFCs (HFOs) as refrigerants, perchloroethylene as a solvent or phosphine as a fumigant in agriculture and food processing to decontaminate products and facilities.
The table below summarises the most common substitutes for the most popular ODS.
Table: Substitutes for ODS
ODS | Application | Replacements |
CFCs, HCFCs | Refrigerants | HFC, HFOs, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, ammonia |
CFCs, HCFCs | Foaming agents | HFC, HFOs, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide |
CFCs, HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, bromochloromethane | Solvents, cleaning agents | HFC, PFC, HFOs, fluorinated ethers, perchloroethylene, hydrocarbons |
Halons, HCFCs | Extinguishing agents | HFC, PFC, carbon dioxide, water mist, extinguishing powders, inert gases |
Methyl bromide | Fumigation of soil, objects and products | Chemical alternatives (PH3, sodium metam, dazomet, sulfuryl fluoride*) and non-chemical alternatives (heating, cooling, soil substrates) |
CFCs, HCFCs | Propellants (propellants) in aerosols and sprays | HFCs, HFOs, hydrocarbons, ethers |
* not yet approved for use in Poland
It should be emphasized that HFCs and PFCs are greenhouse gases with a very high global warming potential (GWP), and discussions are currently underway within the Climate Convention and the Montreal Protocol on the possible introduction of restrictions on HFCs. The European Union has already introduced such restrictions on HFCs and PFCs. Many ODS, such as CFCs and HCFCs, are also high GWP greenhouse gases, but because they are regulated by the PM, they are not covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
For more information, please visit:
→ Ozone Secretariat (UNEP)
→ Program OzonAction
https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/
→ European Commission –
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/ozone-layer_en
→ United States Environmental Protection Agency – EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) –
The Vienna Convention on the Protection of the Ozone Layer (VC) was signed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1985 by 21 countries, including the European Union (EU), and was the first successful attempt to create a framework and principles for joint action by different countries to protect the ozone layer.
The States Parties to the CV have agreed to:
- sharing data on global production and emissions of ODS
- implementation of projects to control emissions of ODS
- cooperation in scientific research to better understand the processes occurring in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Research was considered the most important:
- changes in the stratospheric ozone layer that may cause changes in the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and the potential impact of these changes on human health, living organisms, ecosystems and materials
- modification of the vertical distribution of ozone, which can cause changes in the temperature structure of the atmosphere, which in turn can affect weather and climate.
It was decided that the research would be carried out by the CV Parties as follows:
- physics and chemistry of the atmosphere
- effects of UV radiation on health, living organisms and materials
- climate research
- systematic observations of the state of the ozone layer
- the distribution of UV radiation reaching the Earth.
The Montreal Protocol (MP) on substances that deplete the ozone layer was signed in 1987 and entered into force in 1989. It is a key global agreement on the protection of the ozone layer.
The most important assumptions:
- The Parties to the Protocol meet once a year to make decisions to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement.
- The Protocol is evolutionary in nature, allowing for amendments and additions as research and technology advances. The most recent amendment, the Kigali Amendment (2016), introduced a reduction in HFCs (replacements for ODS that do not deplete ozone but are potent greenhouse gases).
- Thanks to global cooperation, the Protocol is successfully achieving its goals, and the ozone layer is well on its way to full recovery.
More information can be found at:
→ Ozone Secretariat (UNEP)
https://ozone.unep.org/treaties/montreal-protocol
→ Handbook for the Montreal Protocol (UNEP)
https://ozone.unep.org/sites/default/files/Handbooks/MP-Handbook-2020-English.pdf
→ Programe OzonAction (UNEP)
https://www.unep.org/ozonaction/who-we-are/about-montreal-protocol
→ EUR‑Lex
→ European Commission
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/ozone-layer/achievements_en
ODS licensing system
According to Regulation (EU) 2024/590, the import, export and transit of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) – both in bulk and in equipment or products – are only permitted under licenses issued by the European Commission.
Companies must register with the ODS Licensing System to apply for licences and comply with the reporting obligations set out in Annex VI to Regulation (EU) 2024/590, which include reporting data on the production, import, export, transit and use of ODS.
Licenses require approval by the Commission and may be valid for up to 3 years.
→ Current information:
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/ozone-layer/ods-licensing-system_en
The European Commission has announced that from 13 February 2025, reports on ozone-depleting substances (ODS) referred to in Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2024/590 of the European Parliament and of the Council may be submitted.
When should the reports be submitted?
Reports for 2024 must be submitted by 31 March 2025 via the Business Data Repository (BDR) – an online reporting system managed by the European Environment Agency, available at https://bdr.eionet.europa.eu/.
To submit a report, you must first register with the ODS Licensing System, available at https://ods-licensing.ec.europa.eu.
More information about registering with the ODS Licensing System is available at the links below:
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/ozone-layer/business-portal_en https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/94f966d3-03af-4c26-a74c-c328ec9ba2a7/library/772132eb-0071-4e96-8058-e29592766a18