Control of halon exported for critical uses, export of products and equipment containing chlorofluorocarbons and controls on bromochloromethane

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Caroline JACKSON (EPP-ED, United Kingdom) making some amendments to the Commission's proposal. (Please see the summary dated 22/05/03.) Specifically, the main amendments state: - All noncritical installations of halon should be decommissioned by 31 December 2003. Decommissioned halon should be able to be stored for critical uses, exported from critical use storage or destroyed. - Regulation 2037/2000/EC permits exports of products and equipment containing halon, to satisfy critical uses listed in Annex VII. That Regulation is amended to allow bulk halon for export for critical uses until 31 December 2009, as long as it is obtained from recovered, recycled and reclaimed halon that originates from storage facilities authorised or operated by the competent authority. A review of exports of bulk halon will be called with a view to banning exports earlier than 31 December 2009, if appropriate. Exports of halon for critical uses are prohibited after 31 December 2003 if the halon is not from facilities authorised or operated by the competent authority to store halon for critical uses. - The Commission will be responsible for authorising exports for halon exported in products and equipment for critical uses. The Commission should only authorise these exports once the competent authority of the relevant Member State has verified that the exports are for one or more of the specific critical uses listed in Regulation 2037/2000/EC. In addition, the exporter is required to report actual exports at the end of the year. - Member States must report annually on controlled substances including halon that are recovered, recycled, reclaimed or destroyed.�