Montreal Protocol

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 on 21 April 2026 to vote on a draft Implementing Decision setting HFC reference values for the 2027–2029 period. Producers and importers must prepare for updated market access quotas based on their 2022–2024 placement data, signaling tighter 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 necessitates a transition to digital filing channels for ODS and F-gas compliance, reflecting Japan's broader push toward administrative digitalization.

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

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

The UN has released the provisional agenda for the Sixth Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (ExMOP6), scheduled for July 2026. This meeting signals potential high-priority adjustments to the control of ozone-depleting substances and F-gases, requiring proactive monitoring of upcoming global compliance shifts.

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

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

A new 50-year study in East Antarctica confirms the long-range transport and accumulation of both legacy PFAS and newer alternatives, including a significant rise in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) from F-gas replacements. This evidence of persistent global contamination reinforces the scientific basis for broader "forever chemical" restrictions and highlights the growing regulatory scrutiny on short-chain PFAS and 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, convening joint ministerial committees to evaluate the effectiveness of current emission controls. This process signals potential tightening of F-gas management and recovery requirements, likely leading to stricter operational and reporting obligations for equipment manufacturers and users.

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 move toward more 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 has rejected the draft law to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol as of March 2026. This decision pauses the domestic implementation of the global HFC phasedown, maintaining the status quo for operators and delaying new fluorinated gas restrictions 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 transition F-gas and ODS export licensing to the automated EU CSW-CERTEX system effective March 26, 2026. Exporters must validate customs data systems and declaration codes immediately to avoid automated shipment blocks and ensure continued market access for controlled substances.

14 Mar 2026, 08:24tullverket.seSwedenEuropean Union

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

China has implemented a comprehensive oversight framework for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), effective March 1, 2026. Companies must navigate stricter quota permits, mandatory digital reporting, and enhanced monitoring for by-products to mitigate compliance risks across the full supply chain.

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

South Korea: HFC Classifications and Transition Schedules

South Korea has established a phased transition schedule for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), setting Global Warming Potential (GWP) limits for air-conditioning, refrigeration, and fire-extinguishing equipment starting January 2027. Manufacturers and importers must redesign product portfolios and secure compliant low-GWP alternatives to maintain market access as thresholds tighten through 2032.

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

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

Japan's MOE has released the FY Reiwa 6 aggregated data on fluorocarbon leaks, recovery, and destruction from commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. These results signal continued regulatory scrutiny of leakage trends 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 as of February 2026. This move formalizes the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances under the Montreal Protocol, requiring companies to ensure no residual use remains in supply chains or 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 certification criteria for technicians handling ozone-depleting substances (ODS) to include A1 fluorinated gases certificates. This alignment with EU standards streamlines 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

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is soliciting public comment through March 20, 2026, on Tesla’s application for an impossibility variance to continue using high-GWP refrigerant R-134a in industrial process refrigeration. This case highlights the potential for temporary regulatory relief where technical compliance with HFC phase-down mandates is unfeasible, signaling a critical window for industry to monitor precedent-setting variance decisions.

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 cap state-level hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulations at federal standards established under the US AIM Act. If passed, this would prevent New York from enforcing more stringent HFC restrictions than the EPA, simplifying compliance for manufacturers by ensuring state-federal alignment on refrigerant and propellant use.

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 issued the 2026 Catalogue of Goods Subject to Import Licence Administration, effective January 1, 2026, covering ozone-depleting substances and key mechanical/electronic products. Companies must align procurement and logistics with the updated customs codes to mitigate border delays and ensure compliance with evolving trade and environmental 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 updated the list of permitted installations and emission thresholds for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) used as process agents, effective January 2026. Impacted chemical manufacturers must ensure strict adherence to site-specific consumption limits and decommissioning protocols as the EU phases out legacy ODS 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’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has banned HCFC blowing agents in extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam production, effective July 1, 2026. Manufacturers must accelerate the adoption of alternative blowing agents to ensure continued compliance and avoid penalties under China’s ozone-depleting substance phase-out plan.

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

Montreal Protocol Bureau Issues Report Of Bureau Meeting For 36th Meeting Of The Parties

The UNEP has released the Bureau report for the 36th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, formalizing governance decisions on ozone-depleting substance (ODS) controls. This update confirms the trajectory for global ODS phase-outs, signaling the need for industry to align long-term product roadmaps with evolving international treaty obligations.

8 Jan 2026, 10:46docs.un.orgGlobal

Netherlands Updates F-Gases And Ozone-Depleting Substances Certification To Implement EU Regulations 2024/573 And 2024/590

The Netherlands has updated its F-gas and ozone-depleting substance regulations to align with EU standards, introducing stricter certification and registration requirements. Businesses must transition to revised technical standards and manage the new seven-year mandatory re-qualification cycle for personnel to maintain operational compliance.

22 Dec 2025, 14:38zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands