ODS - ozone-depleting substances
What is ODS?
The ozone layer protects humans and other living beings from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the Sun. In the 1980s, scientists discovered that its rapid depletion – the so-called ‘ozone hole’ – was the result of emissions of certain man-made chemicals.
The most important of these are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
and other compounds containing chlorine or bromine, which have ozone depleting potential (ODP). These compounds are referred to as ozone depleting substances (ODS).
International actions for ozone protection
In order to halt the depletion of the ozone layer, the international community has adopted two key documents:
→ The Vienna Convention (1985)
→ Montreal Protocol (1987) – the first treaty in the history of the United Nations to be ratified by all countries.
main groups controlled by the Montreal Protocol (MP)
- CFC – chlorofluorocarbons|
- Halons
- HCFC –
- HBFC – hydrochlorofluorocarbons
- Carbon tetrachloride
- 1,1,1 trichloroetan
- Bromochloromethane
- Methyl bromide
Note: Substances present in mixtures are also subject to control.
European Union regulations concerning seams
For many years, the European Union has had some of the most stringent regulations on ozone-depleting substances.
Currently in force:
→ Regulation (EU) 2024/590, which entered into force on 11 March 2024 and replaced Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009.
The list of substances can be found in:
– Annex I – ozone-depleting substances
– Annex II – ozone-depleting substances not controlled under the Montreal Protocol
Note: Substances listed in Annexes I and II to Regulation (EU) 2024/590 refer to substances occurring on their own or in mixtures.
Substitutes for ODS
Due to the gradual phase-out of CFCs resulting from the provisions of the Montreal Protocol, there was a need to use alternative substances, mainly fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases).
Although F-gases do not deplete the ozone layer, they have a very high global warming potential (GWP) and a significant impact on the climate. Information on F-gases can be found on our dedicated page.
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) system, an online reporting system managed by the European Environment Agency, available at https://bdr.eionet.europa.eu/.
In order to submit a report, you must first register with the Ozone Depleting Substances Licensing System (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