Today, on 15 July the Government of the Republic Regulation No 146 of 6 May 1999 on substances depleting the ozone layer and products containing such substances was repealed at a session of the Government of the Republic. From now on, this area will be regulated by directly applicable legislation of the European Union (Regulation No 2037/2000). Trading in substances depleting the ozone layer and products containing such substances is allowed without a special permit between Member States of the European Union. However, a permit of the European Commission is required to import such substances into the EU or export them from the EU. While permits are not required for export and import of equipment containing such substances, these products should be imported and marketed in compliance with the schedule for abandonment of the use of substances depleting the ozone layer that are contained in the products. EU Regulation No 2037/2000 deals with the following substances that deplete the ozone layer: * CFCs; used, for example, in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, aerosols, etc. * Halons; used in fire protection systems * Carbon tetrachloride; used as solvent and feedstock of chemical synthesis * Trichloroethane; used, for example, in laboratories, as solvent * Methyl bromide; used in pest control, preshipment processing of goods, etc. * HCFCs; used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment and in solvents, fire-extinguishing appliances, etc. Precise requirements have been set for all the above-mentioned substances. So, for instance, the marketing of freons (CFCs) and adding them to the system in the course of maintenance is forbidden. It is also forbidden to use carbon tetrachloride in one of its most common applications – analysing oil products from water. The EU regulation also provides a schedule for gradual abandonment of the use of HCFCs. Already now it is forbidden to use HCFCs in aerosols, as solvents, for the production of foams and in a range of refrigeration equipment. The marketing and use of primary HCFCs will be finally forbidden as of 1 January 2010 and the marketing and use of recycled and reclaimed HCFCs will be forbidden as of 1 January 2015. Substances depleting the ozone layer should be removed from equipment containing such substances before the equipment is destroyed or disposed of. EU Regulation No 2037/2000 is available at the website of the National Ozone Unit of the Estonian Environmental Research Centre at http://www.klab.ee/Osoonibyroo/O3EuLiit.htm At the end of September this year the Government of the Republic will adopt a regulation establishing more precise rules concerning the substances that deplete the ozone layer. In addition, two regulations of the Minister of the Environment will be approved this autumn concerning the standards of competency and equipment maintenance manuals. Further information: Monika Kopti |
