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Environmental information systems
Key messages: Substances that can deplete the stratospheric ozone layer are being phased out in the EU. Since 2010, the Ozone Regulation has been successful in reducing consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), with overall more substances being destroyed and exported than produced.
Consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODS), EU Member States*, 2006-2022
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Because of their impact on the ozone layer and subsequent adverse effects on human health and ecosystems, ODS are regulated by the Montreal Protocol of 1987 and its amendments for a large range of applications. ODS include around 100 individual substances with high ozone-depleting potential such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. Under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, these fall under the most harmful substances.
ODS are being phased out in the EU following the introduction of the Ozone Regulation, with consumption mostly falling between 2010 and 2022. A large part of the decline was due to substituting ODS with fluorinated greenhouse gases, which were subsequently regulated. When considering differences in the ozone-depleting potential among ODS, the consumption was already negative in 2006, mainly due to more destruction (including ODS quantities recovered from old cooling equipment) and exports compared to reduced production levels.
In 2022, the production and use of ODS was lower than the amounts that were destroyed and exported as compared to 2021 where consumption was positive due to a greater production and amounted to 1,176 metric tonnes. This increase in 2021 could be explained by significant amounts of ODS stocked for feedstock outside the EU that had not yet been exported.
The current revision of the Ozone regulation foresees more comprehensive monitoring of ODS, including of substances that are not yet controlled. Overall, the revision aims to prevent the equivalent of 180 million tonnes of CO2 and 32,000 tonnes of ozone depleting potential (ODP) emissions by 2050.
Please consult the relevant indicators and signals below for a more comprehensive overview on the topic.
The use of and trade in ODS in the EU falls under the Ozone Regulation. It covers about 200 substances including:
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
halons
carbon tetrachloride (CTC)
1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA)
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)
bromochloromethane (BCM)
methyl bromide (MB).
ODS consumption is calculated from the sum of the imported and produced quantities (excluding production for feedstock in the EU and use as process agents i.e., as part of a chemical reaction where it is not consumed) minus the exported and destroyed part.
Information about the current state of the ozone layer is also provided by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).
More information is available at the EEA indicator page and the EEA online data viewer on ODS.
Relevant objectives under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
Minimise exposure of humans and environment to substances hazardous to health and the environment, through risk management measures and full information to users of chemicals
Restore human health and environment to a good quality status
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Other relevant indicators and signals
Reference and footnotes
- ↵UNEP, 1987, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, UN Secretariat, New York City, United States of America.
- ↵EC, 2020, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0667) accessed 26 April 2023.
- a bEU, 2009, Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 286, 31.10.2009, pp. 1-30).
- ↵EU, 2014, Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on fluorinated greenhouse gases and repealing Regulation (EC) No 842/2006 Text with EEA relevance (OJ L 150, 20.5.2014, pp. 195-230).
- ↵EC, 2022, Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on substances that deplete the ozone layer and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 (https://climate.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-04/ods_proposal_en.pdf) accessed 8 May 2023.