Cassandra Taylor
Regulatory Specialist,
Nexreg Compliance Inc.
Regulatory International
Influences
Ozone-Depleting Substances
& Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations
The words “ozone depletion” describe two related occurrences
that have been observed over the past 50 years: a steady
decline in the total amount of ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere
as well as a large springtime decrease in the stratospheric
ozone around the Earth’s polar regions. This column describes the
steps Canada is taking to reduce ozone depletion and preserve this
crucial protective layer.
The Earth’s ozone layer is composed
of Ozone (O3) or trioxygen.
This form of oxygen is much less
stable than the diatomic form that
we breathe (O2). The ozone layer
of the stratosphere is important because
it absorbs much of the sun’s
ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The
small portion of UV radiation that
is not absorbed by the atmosphere
is responsible for sunburn in
humans as well as direct DNA damage
to living tissues in both plants
and animals. For our safety, it is
important to prevent significant
depletion of ozone in the Earth’s
atmosphere.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
are organic compounds containing
fluorine and hydrogen atoms.
HFCs are frequently used as
refrigerants, in fire extinguishing
systems, as well as propellants in
aerosols. HFCs are greenhouse
gases with a global warming potential
(GWP) that studies have shown
is hundreds to thousands of times
more potent than carbon dioxide
(CO2). This is concerning because
HFCs have been increasingly used
as replacements for other ozonedepleting
substances (ODS) such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
(Montreal Protocol) is the international agreement to control the
production and consumption of certain ODS and CFC alternatives.
In November 2015, Parties to the Montreal Protocol agreed
to negotiate an amendment to phase down HFCs. The Kigali
Agreement was adopted on October 15, 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Kigali Agreement added HFCs to the list of controlled substances
under the Montreal Protocol. Developed countries agreed
to gradually reduce HFCs to 15% of the calculated baseline levels
by 2036.
Developing countries have been given more time to implement
the provisions of the Kigali Agreement. Measures to control HFCs
in developing countries will begin in 2024 or 2028, with plans to
phase down baseline levels to 15% or 20% by 2046.
While HFCs are not manufactured in Canada, they are imported
in bulk and found in a variety of
products. HFCs enter the environment
due to leakage, product use
and disposal. The Ozone-Depleting
Substances & Halocarbon Alternatives
Regulation (Regulation) implements
Canada’s obligations under the
Montreal Protocol.
The Regulations Amending the
Ozone-depleting Substances and
Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations
(Amendments), which took effect
on Jan. 1, 2019, affects companies
that manufacture, import, export,
use or sell products containing or
designed to contain HFCs. The
Amendments are designed to control
HFCs through the phase-down
of consumption of bulk HFCs.
Controls on specific products
containing or designed to contain
HFCs, including refrigeration and
air-conditioning equipment, foams
and aerosols have been implemented.
The phase-down begins with a
10% reduction in consumption for
2019, followed by further reduction
stages in 2024, 2029 and 2034. By
2036, an 85% reduction in HFC
consumption is anticipated. The
Amendments also implement prohibitions,
by specific dates, on the
manufacture and import of certain products and equipment that
contain, or are designed to contain, HFCs and HFC blends with a
GWP above a specific limit.
Schedule 1 of the Regulation contains four tables. Table 1 contains
CFCs, bromofluorocarbons and other halogenated compounds
that have high ozone depleting potential. It is prohibited
to import or manufacture a substance set out in Table 1 of Schedule
1. Additionally, it is prohibited to use or sell a substance in Table
1 without a permit issued for a specific authorized use such as
22 Spray June 2019
A cross-section of the Earth’s ozone layer.