Ozone depleting substances (ODS) and F-gases

ODS and F-gases

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are gases which damage the ozone layer. They include CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). The most widely used HCFC is R22 (chlorodifluoromethane or HCFC-22) which is widely found in air-conditioning units, refrigerators, freezers and process chillers.

HCFCs are being phased out by the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which as of 11 March 2024 is implemented at the European Union (EU) level by Regulation (EC) No 2024/590 (the EU ODS Regulation), which repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009. In Great Britain (GB), the Montreal Protocol is implemented by Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (the GB ODS Regulation) and the enforcement framework is contained in the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations 2015, SI 2015/168.

F-gases are ozone-friendly but have a high global warming effect. The most common F-gases are HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons) which were developed as a substitute to CFCs and HCFCs. They are used in air-conditioning systems including cars and vans, refrigeration, heat pump equipment and blowing agents for foams, fire extinguishers, aerosol propellants and solvents. F-gases are being phased out at EU-level by Regulation (EU) No 2024/590 (the EU F-gas Regulation),

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