Substances that deplete the ozone layer

The Council adopted the regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer. This text enables the Union to go beyond the ceilings laid down under the second amendment to the Montreal protocol for the consumption of HCHCs, CFCs and methylbromide. - For HCFCs, the ceiling has been set with effect from 1 January 1995 at 2.6% of the consumption of CFCs and HCFCs recorded in 1989 and a timetable has been established for reductions starting in 2004 and resulting in elimination by 2015. - For methylbromide, a production and consumption ceiling set at 1991 levels will be introduced on 1 January 1995 and a 25% reduction should be achieved by 1998. The regulation also stipulates that: - regulated substances placed on the market in the Community will need an import licence; - imports of regulated substances from third countries will be subject to quantitative limits; - it is prohibited to place regulated substances from states not party to the Montreal protocol on the market; - it is prohibited to export regulated substances from the Community to states not party to the protocol; - the Commission may, by way of exception, allow regulated substances to be traded with states not party to the protocol.�