Export ozone-depleting substances and F-gases: special rules
Licences and special rules for exporting ozone-depleting substances and F-gases.
To export outside the EU, what you need to do depends on whether you’re exporting:
- ozone-depleting substances like HCFCs or CFCs
- HFCs and other F-gases
Within the EU, you don’t need a licence or to follow special rules.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, how you export ozone-depleting substances and f-gases to the EU will change. You’ll have to set up an office in the EU or appoint a representative there. Find out what you can do now to continue exporting these products after Brexit.
Also check the import rules of the country you’re importing to. Talk to your importer or get help researching your export market.
Ozone-depleting substances
You can only export ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in certain situations, including:
- HCFCs used for refrigeration, air conditioning, foam blowing fire-fighting or solvents
- CFCs or CTCs for laboratory or analytical use
- all ODS used as part of a chemical process to create another substance (‘feedstock’)
- recovered, recycled or reclaimed halons stored for critical uses, for example in aircraft extinguishing systems
- other special situations (PDF, 104KB)
Apply for an export licence on the European Commission website.
You’ll usually get a licence within 15 to 29 days if you’ve just registered or within 5 days if you’re already signed up on the system.
Attach a copy to your consignment or give your freight forwarder your licence number.
After you export
Every year you must report the ODS chemicals you’ve exported by 31 March.
You’ll need to:
- register for an account if you don’t already have one
- log in to submit your report”
HFCs and other F-gases
HFCs and other F-gases are also used in refrigeration, air conditioning systems, solvents and aerosols.
You don’t need a licence to export HFCs and other F-gases, but you must submit an annual report if you export 100 tonnes or more of CO2 equivalent.
This is 70kg of HFC 134a, or 25kg of HFC 404A. You can find out how to calculate the CO2 equivalent weight of other F-gases.
Send your annual report
Report the quantity of F-gases you sent in the previous calendar year by 31 March.
You’ll need to:
- register for an EU Login account, if you don’t already have one
- sign in to submit your report
Get help
Contact the Environment Agency if you need help with ozone-depleting substances or F-gases.
Environment Agency
f-gassupport@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Find out about call charges