US Phase-out Schedule
US Phase-out Schedule for Class I Substances
- Halons (Class I Group II) were phased-out in 1994.
- The phase-out of all chemicals in Class I, except methyl bromide, occurred beginning January 1, 1996.
- After the 1996 phase-out, US EPA added chlorobromomethane (CBM) to the list of Class I controlled substances; CBM production and import became prohibited on August 18, 2003.
- The phase-out of methyl bromide occurred beginning January 1, 2005. Limited and controlled methyl bromide use is permitted under an exemption system; methyl bromide use for quarantine and preshipment, however, is not controlled. Some CFCs (CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-114) can also be produced or imported under the essential use exemption program. Exceptions to the US phase-out are covered later in this course.
Further information on US EPA's phase-out of Class I ODS is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/accfact.html.
US Phase-out Schedule for Class II Substances (HCFCs)
Under the Montreal Protocol, the US is obligated to limit HCFC production and import ("consumption") to a specific level and to reduce it in a step-wise fashion from an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)-weighted consumption cap so that each chemical's relative contribution to ozone depletion is taken into account.
Under the CAA, the phase-out of HCFCs first targets those HCFCs with the greatest ODP. In order to meet the 35 percent consumption cap reduction by January 1, 2004, US EPA phased out the HCFC with the highest ODP: HCFC-141b. This first milestone was achieved in 2003:
- January 1, 2003: Ban on production and import of HCFC-141b
The US expects to comply with the remainder of the Montreal Protocol phase-out schedule as follows:
- January 1, 2010: Ban on production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b except for on-going servicing needs in equipment manufactured on or before December 31, 2009.
- January 1, 2015: Ban on production and import of all other virgin HCFCs except for on-going servicing needs in equipment manufactured on or before December 31, 2019. Other commonly used HCFCs include HCFC-123, HCFC-124, HCFC-225ca and HCFC-225cb. For an extensive list, see US EPA's list of Class II Ozone-Depleting Substances.
- January 1, 2020: Ban on remaining production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b.
- January 1, 2030: Ban on remaining production and import of all other HCFCs.
Further information on US EPA's phase-out of Class II ODS is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/phaseout/hcfc.html.
