Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

Germany Adopts Fifth Act Amending Chemicals Act To Implement EU F-Gas and Ozone Regulations

Germany has implemented the Fifth Act Amending the Chemicals Act, effective April 2, 2026, to enforce the latest EU F-gas and ozone-depleting substances regulations. Manufacturers and importers face stricter documentation mandates for pre-filled equipment and significantly expanded enforcement risks, including potential three-year market bans for serious non-compliance.

4 Apr 2026, 11:50recht.bund.deGermany

Great Britain Environment Agency Updates F-Gas and Ozone-Depleting Substances Charging Scheme

The UK Environment Agency has updated statutory charges for F-gases and ozone-depleting substances, effective April 2025, with annual CPI-linked increases starting April 2026. Businesses operating in Great Britain must budget for rising compliance costs for registrations, declarations, and subsistence fees as the regulator moves toward a full cost-recovery model.

4 Apr 2026, 11:03gov.ukUnited Kingdom

England Updates Charges For International Waste Shipment Notifications

England's Environment Agency has updated international waste shipment notification charges, effective April 1, 2026, introducing annual CPI-linked adjustments. Businesses must account for rising operational costs for hazardous and complex waste exports, particularly those containing restricted substances like mercury or F-gases.

4 Apr 2026, 11:02gov.ukUnited Kingdom

California Senate Amends SB 1010 Refrigerant Stewardship And Recovery Act For Household Appliances

California is advancing SB 1010, which mandates an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for household appliances containing refrigerants starting in 2028. Manufacturers must prepare for eco-modulated fees and end-of-life management plans that address PFAS and Proposition 65 chemicals to maintain market access.

28 Mar 2026, 16:18leginfo.legislature.ca.govUnited States

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

ECHA Opens CLH Consultations On Hydrochloric Acid And Sulphuryl Difluoride

ECHA has launched public consultations on harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) for hydrochloric acid and sulphuryl difluoride, closing May 18, 2026. Proposed classifications for CMR and acute toxicity hazards will mandate labelling updates and may trigger broader downstream restrictions for industrial and biocidal applications.

18 Mar 2026, 15:56echa.europa.euEuropean Union

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

British Columbia Amends Environmental Management Act Regulations on Contaminated Sites, Wastewater, Open Burning and Ozone-Depleting Substances

British Columbia has amended several environmental regulations, introducing new soil relocation exemptions, stricter ozone-depleting substance record-keeping, and updated administrative penalty provisions. Impacted businesses should update compliance protocols for contaminated site management and ensure ozone-depleting substance records are readily available for electronic inspection.

13 Mar 2026, 10:48bclaws.gov.bc.caCanada

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

Portugal Highlights First Microplastics Emissions Reporting Deadline and Updates Ozone‑Depleting Substances Certification Criteria

The first mandatory EU microplastics emissions reports are due to ECHA by May 31, 2026, under new REACH Annex XVII requirements. Impacted manufacturers must establish IUCLID-based tracking for synthetic polymer microparticles to ensure compliance with evolving zero-pollution transparency obligations.

3 Mar 2026, 13:56echa.europa.euPortugalEuropean Union

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

Finland Updates Environmental Protection Act (527/2014) With 2025 Institutional and Permitting Reforms

Finland has overhauled its environmental administration, centralizing permitting and supervision under a new national agency effective January 1, 2026. Businesses must transition regulatory engagement to the new agency for industrial permits and market surveillance of ODS, F-gases, and VOCs.

24 Feb 2026, 19:56finlex.fiFinland