ODS Regulation

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are internationally regulated by the Montreal Protocol of 1987 and its succession amendments.

These are implemented into European legislation by the regulation EC 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, valid from 1.1.2010. This regulation supersedes the former regulation EC 2037/2000. Consult this Regulation here.

The regulation has no impact on the three chlorinated solvents DCM, TRI and PER and their use is not at all restricted this legislation as they do not have a significant ozone depleting potential. However, two other substances being manufactured by the producers of chlorinated solvents are included in the regulation , i.e. Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC) is included in Annex I and, starting from 2010, Chloromethane or Methyl Chloride (MeCl) is included in Annex II, part B

CTC shows a stratospheric ozone depleting potential (ODP) of 1.1 (reference: R 11 = 1), therefore its manufacture, recycling, use, volumes for certain use, disposal, import and export of CTC (or mixtures or wastes containing CTC > 1 %) have been regulated since the implementation of ODS legislation. It is mainly used as an industrial intermediate and only a small fraction as a special solvent in a few industrial processes or as a laboratory solvent. Emissions during manufacture, transport, use and disposal must be minimised by application of strictly controlled conditions (closed systems).

MeCl (methyl chloride) is almost exclusively used as an industrial intermediate and only a small fraction as a low temperature solvent in special industrial processes or as a laboratory reagent. MeCl is a flammable gas and used under practically emission-free strictly-controlled conditions (stored and transported pressure liquefied) that need to be handled in closed systems.

Furthermore, man-made industrial emissions are not relevant compared to the several million tons that are naturally produced by algae, bacteria, fungi and certain plants in the oceans and in soil all over the world.

Despite its  very low stratospheric ozone-depleting potential (ODP) of 0.02, MeCl is listed as a ‘new substance’ under the ODS regulation meaning that its manufacture, use, import and export are not restricted in any way.

Each participant in the whole supply chain is obliged to report annually relevant statistical data on these substances to the European and national authorities. For further details, please see the ODS regulation EC 1005/2009 and the website of the European ODS secretariat EIONET. Additional national restrictions may exist in certain countries.

Revision: 11.2019