HRC Will Not Import Recycled Halons From Countries That Still Make Them

03 August 1998 00:00  [Source: ICB Americas]

The Halon Recycling Corporation says it will not facilitate transfers of recycled halons from countries that still produce or import the ozone-depleting chemicals.

The industry group included these restrictions in its program to address concerns about recycled halons being imported into the US and Europe from countries that still produce the materials.

The Montreal Protocol allows developing nations to produce halons and ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) until 2010, but only to meet their domestic requirements and the needs of other developing countries.

ÒHRC believes that the exporting of recycled ODSs to developed countries by countries that are still producing these ODSs goes against the spirit of the Montreal Protocol,Ó says Tom Cortina, executive director of HRC. ÒOur members were not comfortable with the possibility that HRC could be helping to facilitate these transfers.Ó HRC has instituted the restrictions by revising its buyer and seller enrollment agreements. All of HRCÕs buyers and sellers must agree to the language if they want to stay in the program, which matches companies that have excess halons with those that need the fire-fighting agents for critical uses.

The industry groupÕs concern was first raised when recycled halons from China were shipped into the US early last year. According to Environmental Protection Agency, China currently accounts for the bulk of the worldÕs halon production.

EPA is responsible for approving petitions to import recycled ODSs into the US and is considering changes to its petition process to address imported halons.

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