Ozone-depleting substances: guidance for users, producers and traders
Requirements if you work with ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
You must not use ODS in new equipment or to service existing equipment, unless they are recycled halons for critical uses. You can still use equipment that contains ODS as long as it is not leaking.
For permitted uses of ODS, you must follow this guidance. The guidance applies to anyone who:
- produces, imports, exports or sells ODS or equipment containing ODS, like refrigeration equipment and fire extinguishers
- uses or services equipment that contains ODS
Contact
If you have questions relating to the fluorinated greenhouse gas (F gas) and ozone depleting substances (ODS) online services, contact the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency administers these services on behalf of Great Britain and is the regulator if the registered office for your organisation is in England.
Telephone: 03708 506 506 (find out about call charges)
Email: f-gassupport@environment-agency.gov.uk
If the registered office for your organisation is based in Scotland, Wales, offshore or your question is not related to F gas or ODS services in Great Britain, contact the relevant regulator.
Scotland
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Telephone: 0300 099 6699
Email: FGas_ODS@sepa.org.uk
Wales
Email: chemicals@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Offshore
Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED)
Email: OPRED@energysecurity.gov.uk
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the European Union fluorinated greenhouse gas and ozone depleting substances system. If the registered office for your organisation is in Northern Ireland contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Email: nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk
Lists of ODS
Read the lists of:
- all ODS, where you must follow these rules
- the permitted critical uses of halons
Producing, importing, exporting and selling ODS
You must:
- apply for a licence if you import or export ODS
- apply for quota to import or produce ODS
- record and report ODS that you import, export, sell or destroy
Importers and exporters may also need to read the guidance on:
- ODS exports rejected at an EU border control post
- moving ozone-depleting substances between Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Operating or servicing ODS equipment
If you service equipment containing ODS, you must hold the correct qualifications. You must also follow rules when:
- checking ODS equipment for leaks
- recovering ODS from equipment at the end of its life
If you operate equipment containing ODS, read the guidance to check:
- what qualifications technicians servicing your equipment must hold
- how often you must get your equipment leak-checked
- how to deal with recovered ODS
Laboratory and analytical use of ODS
If you plan to use ODS for laboratory or analytical uses, you must register for the laboratory ODS (LabODS) service.
If you sell ODS for laboratory or analytical uses, you must check your customer’s details on the LabODS service.
Updates to this page
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Added section on contact information.
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Added a new page 'Recovering ODS from equipment' under 'Using or servicing ODS equipment’.
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Added 'Moving ozone-depleting substances between Great Britain and Northern Ireland'.
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Added guidance on ODS exports rejected at an EU border control post.
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Updated with links to guidance on rules from 1 January 2021.
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First published.