If it sometimes seems confusing and difficult to identify and keep track of the various treaties and regulations that are having an effect on the refrigerants industry, that’s because it is. Here is a brief primer.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layeris an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances that are responsible forozone depletion. It was agreed to in 1987, and entered into force January 1, 1989. It has been through a number of revisions since then: if an agreement is reached in Dubai this year, it will be the ninth. The Montreal Protocol has been responsible for the phaseouts and bans on chloroflourocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorcarbons (HCFCs).