Montreal Protocol

Ukraine Launches Consultation On Draft Law To Ratify Kigali Amendment To The Montreal Protocol

Ukraine has opened a one-month public consultation on a draft law to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer, signalling its intention to make this amendment legally binding nationally. If adopted and implemented, this ratification will align Ukraine with global controls under the Kigali Amendment and foreshadow tighter long-term requirements for ozone-depleting substances and related fluorinated gases in affected supply chains.

21 May 2026, 06:36me.gov.uaUkraine

Study Led By Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) Warns ODS Feedstock Emissions May Delay Ozone Layer Recovery

An Empa-led international study published in April 2026 shows that emissions from ozone-depleting substances used as industrial feedstock chemicals are far higher than previously assumed, and that this could delay global ozone-layer recovery by around seven years. The findings put renewed pressure on Montreal Protocol Parties to tighten feedstock exemptions or emission controls, increasing medium-term regulatory risk for producers and downstream users of fluorochemicals, refrigerants, and fluoropolymers.

16 Apr 2026, 14:12nature.comGlobalSwitzerland

EU Committee On Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases To Consider Draft Implementing Decision On HFC Reference Values For 2027–2029

The EU Committee on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases will meet in April 2026 to vote on HFC reference values that determine market quotas for the 2027–2029 period. Producers and importers must prepare for updated allocation limits based on recent placement data, signaling continued supply constraints under the revised F-gas Regulation.

1 Apr 2026, 14:55ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Issues Ministerial Ordinance Revising Enforcement Rules Under Ozone Layer Protection Act

Japan has modernized reporting procedures under the Ozone Layer Protection Act, effective April 1, 2026, by removing the option for optical disc submissions. This shift requires a transition to digital filing channels for ODS and F-gas compliance as part of Japan's broader administrative digitalization.

27 Mar 2026, 16:19kanpo.go.jpJapan

Montreal Protocol Parties Publish Provisional Agenda for Sixth Extraordinary Meeting (ExMOP6)

The UN has scheduled the Sixth Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol for July 2026 to address priority implementation and compliance issues. This meeting signals potential accelerated phase-outs or new restrictions on ozone-depleting substances and F-gases, requiring businesses to monitor for upcoming global supply chain and compliance shifts.

26 Mar 2026, 19:20docs.un.orgGlobal

Global Study Reconstructs 50-Year PFAS Deposition and Long-Range Transport to East Antarctica

A 50-year study in Antarctica confirms the global accumulation of legacy PFAS and a sharp rise in trifluoroacetic acid linked to newer fluorinated gas alternatives. This evidence of persistent long-range transport strengthens the scientific case for broader restrictions on the entire PFAS class and increases regulatory pressure on F-gas degradation products.

25 Mar 2026, 21:34science.orgGlobal

Japan Ministry of the Environment Schedules 1st Joint Meeting on Fluorocarbon Countermeasures

Japan has launched a formal five-year review of the Fluorocarbons Act to assess the effectiveness of current emission controls and recovery mandates. This review signals potential tightening of F-gas management standards and reporting requirements for manufacturers and operators of equipment containing fluorinated substances.

21 Mar 2026, 18:51env.go.jpJapan

BRS Secretariat Issues Exploratory Study on Interlinkages Between the Montreal Protocol and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions

The BRS Secretariat has published a study mapping regulatory interlinkages between the Montreal Protocol and the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions. This signals a shift toward integrated global enforcement and technical alignment across chemical production, trade, and waste management for ODS, HFCs, and PFAS.

19 Mar 2026, 19:20brsmeas.orgGlobal

Ukraine Parliament Rejects Draft Law On Ratification Of Kigali Amendment To The Montreal Protocol

Ukraine's Parliament rejected the ratification of the Kigali Amendment in March 2026, halting the formal adoption of global HFC phasedown obligations. This decision delays new fluorinated gas restrictions and reporting requirements, providing temporary regulatory stability for operators in the Ukrainian market.

17 Mar 2026, 20:37me.gov.uaUkraine

Swedish Customs Implements EU CSW-CERTEX For F-Gas And ODS Export Declarations

Swedish Customs will automate F-gas and ODS export license verification through the EU CSW-CERTEX system starting March 26, 2026. Companies must update customs declaration workflows and validation codes to prevent automated shipment delays and ensure compliance with stricter EU environmental trade controls.

14 Mar 2026, 08:24tullverket.seSwedenEuropean Union

China MEE Issues Notice Strengthening Supervision of Ozone-Depleting Substances and Hydrofluorocarbons

China has launched a comprehensive oversight framework for ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons, effective March 1, 2026, mandating full-lifecycle supervision. Businesses must secure production and use quotas while implementing digital reporting and by-product monitoring to maintain market access and avoid enforcement actions.

9 Mar 2026, 19:00mee.gov.cnChina

South Korea: HFC Classifications and Transition Schedules

South Korea has established a mandatory phased transition schedule for hydrofluorocarbons, imposing strict global warming potential limits on cooling and fire-safety equipment starting in 2027. Manufacturers must overhaul product designs and supply chains to adopt low-global-warming alternatives across refrigeration, automotive, and stationary air-conditioning portfolios to maintain market access.

5 Mar 2026, 12:07me.go.krSouth Korea

Japan MOE Publishes Aggregated Reporting Results Under Fluorocarbon Emission Control Act (Reiwa 6)

Japan has published the FY Reiwa 6 aggregated data on fluorocarbon leaks, recovery, and destruction from commercial refrigeration and cooling systems. These results provide a benchmark for industry compliance and will likely inform future policy adjustments to management standards for high-GWP refrigerants.

5 Mar 2026, 09:33env.go.jpJapan

Colombia Ministry of Health Prohibits Methyl Bromide (Resolution 197 of 4 February 2026)

Colombia has implemented an immediate national ban on the import, manufacture, and use of methyl bromide and all pesticide products containing it. This formalizes the complete phase-out of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, requiring businesses to ensure the substance is eliminated from agricultural supply chains and quarantine operations.

1 Mar 2026, 11:01members.wto.orgColombia

Portugal APA Updates ODS Technician Certification Criteria To Accept A1 Fluorinated Gases Certificate

Portugal has updated technician certification requirements for ozone-depleting substances to include A1 fluorinated gases certificates. This alignment with EU standards simplifies cross-sector compliance for service providers and ensures technical competency across ODS and F-gas handling operations.

25 Feb 2026, 18:53apambiente.ptPortugal

California CARB Opens Comment Period on Tesla Variance to Use R-134a Under HFC Regulation

California is reviewing a variance request from Tesla to continue using high-GWP refrigerant R-134a in industrial process refrigeration. This case establishes a critical precedent for how regulators handle technical impossibility claims during the transition away from hydrofluorocarbons in stationary equipment.

23 Feb 2026, 20:03content.govdelivery.comUnited States

New York Senate Bill S9066 Would Align State HFC Rules With Federal AIM Act Standards

New York has introduced legislation to align state-level hydrofluorocarbon restrictions with federal standards established under the US AIM Act. This move toward a regulatory ceiling prevents more stringent state-specific mandates, reducing compliance complexity for manufacturers of refrigerants, aerosols, and foams.

30 Jan 2026, 13:32nysenate.govUnited States

China Ministry of Commerce and Customs Publish 2026 Catalogue of Goods Subject to Import Licence Administration

China has implemented its 2026 import licensing catalogue for ozone-depleting substances and specific mechanical and electronic goods. Companies must verify updated customs codes and secure necessary permits to prevent supply chain disruptions and ensure compliance with tightened trade controls.

22 Jan 2026, 15:28mofcom.gov.cnChina

EU Commission Adopts Implementing Decision On Process-Agent Uses Of Ozone-Depleting Substances Under Regulation (EU) 2024/590

The EU has finalized new emission thresholds and permitted installations for ozone-depleting substances used as process agents, effective January 2026. Affected manufacturers must align operations with site-specific consumption limits and mandatory decommissioning notifications as part of the broader phase-out of legacy chemical applications.

14 Jan 2026, 15:42eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

China MEE Prohibits HCFC Blowing Agents In Extruded Polystyrene Foam Production From July 2026

China will ban the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons as blowing agents in extruded polystyrene foam production effective July 2026. Impacted manufacturers must transition to alternative blowing agents to ensure continued market access and alignment with national ozone-depleting substance phase-out targets.

13 Jan 2026, 14:46mee.gov.cnChina