There is a general ban on the use, sale, import or export of ozone layer depleting substances and products containing ozone layer depleting substances.
The use of ozone layer depleting substances is regulated in:
CFCs and HCFCs have been used particularly in spray cans, in the production of plastic foam, as refrigerants, for chemical cleaning, degreasing and for laboratory analyses. Halons have been used in fire extinguisher systems, and methyl bromide has been used as a disinfectant and pesticide.
The ozone layer protects humans and the environment The ozone layer protects the earth against the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Without the ozone layer, the incidence of various forms of skin cancer and eye disease would increase. Animal and plant life would also be impacted. It would reduce crop yields and fishing hauls.
Exemptions from the ban Equipment such as refrigerators and freezers containing ozone layer depleting substances, as a refrigerant or in foam, may continue to be used if they were acquired legally. They may also be refilled with regenerated HCFCs. Fire extinguishing systems in aeroplanes are still permitted to contain Halon.
Other exemptions The Danish Environmental Protection Agency may grant exemptions from the Danish regulations in special cases, for example, where no alternatives with less environmental impact exist.
The European Commission may grant exemptions from the EU regulations after a hearing before a special committee.
Producers, importers, distributors and users are responsible Anyone who produces, uses, imports or sells ozone layer depleting substances or systems containing ozone layer depleting substances is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical inspectors and the Danish Maritime Authority monitor compliance with the regulations and will ensure that illegal situations are brought into compliance. This may involve withdrawing the product from the Danish market, or making the product legal in some other way. Anyone who breaches the regulations may additionally face a fine or prison sentence of up to two years.
Other legislation Ozone layer depleting substances are also covered by the Danish Act on taxes on certain ozone layer depleting substances and industrial greenhouse gases, administered by SKAT.
The Danish Working Environment Authority also has regulations for the working environment which must be complied with.
More information The full text of the Statutory Order is available (in Danish) at the Retsinfo website:
Statutory Order no. 243 of 19 April 2002
Regulation 2037/2000 concerning ozone depleting substances is available at the EUR-lex website:Regulation 1005/2009
You can read about the Montreal Protocol at:http://ozone.unep.org/index.shtml
The SKAT Statutory Order concerning taxes is available (in Danish) at the Retsinfo website:Statutory Order concerning taxes on certain ozone layer depleting substances and greenhouse gases
The Danish Working Environment Authority website is:www.at.dk
More information about special conditions for the refrigeration sector is available (in Danish) from the KMO website:www.kmo.dk (in Danish)
National REACH helpdesk is a service established in every Member State providing advice to companies and other stakeholders on the obligations they may have under REACH.
The Danish REACH helpdesk:www.reachhelpdesk.dk (in Danish) Ph: + 45 7012 0211
Read more about REACH and national helpdesks atThe European Chemicals Agency