ODS/F-Gas regulations

Ozone Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Gases Regulation 2020

The Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Fluorinated (F-Gas) Regulation 2020 is designed to prohibit the import of ODS and regulate the use and transfer of ODS and F-Gas on the Isle of Man.

Through implementation of the ODS and F-Gas Regulation 2020, the Isle of Man can responsibly import and export ODS and F-Gas (and products containing these substances) to the UK. With the implementation of the ODS and F-Gas Regulation 2020, the IOM has ratified the Montreal Protocol and joins almost 200 other countries who are committed to environmental global action to protect the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The main purpose of the Montreal Protocol is to create a:

  • Multilateral environmental agreement to regulate the production and consumption of ~100 man-made chemicals known to be ozone depleting substances (ODS)
  • Phased down approach to the consumption and production of ODS
  • Phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
  • Phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
  •  Member responsibilities for the control of ODS, through trade, reporting, national licencing, and imports and exports regulation

Further information about the Montreal Protocol can be found from the United Nations Environment Programme. 

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Fluorinated Gases (F-Gas) Regulation Summary

The requirements of the Regulation restrict the use of ODS, impose restrictions on the type of F-Gases that can be used and introduce control measures that must be undertaken when using, replacing or disposing of such materials. These regulation control measures:

  • Prohibit the importation of ODS into the Island (subject to exemptions)
  • Prohibit ODS and F-Gas from being placed on the market or produced in the Isle of Man
  • Prohibit recycling, reclaiming or destroying ODS or F-Gases in the Isle of Man
  • Require all exports of ODS and F-Gas to be directly to an undertaking in the UK capable of recycling, reclaiming or destroying the substances
  • Require any import and export of ODS or F-Gases, and products containing such gases to be reported to DEFA
  • Require anyone working with ODS or F-gases to have appropriate training
  • Require companies to ensure steps are taken to minimize leakage of ODS and F-gases

Isle of Man Companies Working with ODS

The Isle of Man’s ODS and F-Gas Regulations 2020 will require users and traders of controlled ODS substances to:

  • Provide all individuals working with ODS or methyl bromide to be appropriately trained
  • Provide checks and record keeping for persons supplying or fitting products containing ODS
  • Ensure steps are taken to minimize leakage of ODS and F-Gas
  • Report imports of exempt ODS and all exports of ODS to DEFA (Reporting Criteria)
  • ODS must not be placed in new equipment or re-used within servicing
  • A few exemptions are possible for laboratory or analytical purposes

Isle of Man Companies Working with F-Gases

The Isle of Man’s ODS and F-Gas Regulations 2020 will require users and traders of F-Gases to comply with:

  • Gain company certification
  • Providing all individuals carrying out work related to F-Gases to be qualified and certified under the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2015
  • Produced, imported or installed equipment containing F-Gas must be labelled according to the UK Environment Agency’s advice
  • Provide checks and record keeping for persons supplying or fitting products containing F-Gases
  • Ensure steps are taken to minimize leakage of F-Gas
  • New (primary) F-Gas can only be used for refilling existing refrigeration systems if the equipment contains <40 tonnes CO2eq. gas and the banned substance has a global warming potential below 2500
Primary Banned F-GasGlobal Warming PotentialMax. mass of banned F-Gas allowed to refill equipment
HFC 508B 13,396 3 kg
HFC 507A 3985 10 kg
HFC 404A 3922 10.2 kg
HFC 434A 3245 12.3 kg
HFC 422D 2729 14.7 kg
  • Reclaimed banned F-Gas can be used to refill refrigerant systems until 2030
  • Recovered banned F-Gas, recovered by your business or the business which services your equipment can be used until 2030
  • Report imports and exports of F-gases to DEFA (Reporting Criteria)

Qualifications

All individuals carrying out work related to ODS or F-Gases are to be qualified and certified under the Ozone Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Gases Regulations 2020.

To locate a relevant qualification organisation in the UK please visit the UK Government's website.

F-Gas and ODS Waste Disposal

Amongst our other responsibilities as a regulator of waste the Department is required to designate appropriate disposal routes for waste ozone depleting substances (ODS) and fluorinated gases (F-Gas). To dispose of ODS or F-Gas materials or products containing these substances must be sent to a relevant UK organisation only.

Exports of HFC Fluorinated refrigerant gases (F-gases) listed under the F-gas Regulations (EU 5107/2014) are not impacted by the ratification process for the Montreal Protocol (which is currently restricting the export of ODS from the Isle of Man), and thus F-gases can continue to be shipped to the UK.

If an Isle of Man company requires to make an application for shipping waste ODS or F-Gas to the UK, either of the following procedures should be followed:

For further information please email environmentalprotection@gov.im