Japan excludes HFOs from new emissions law

JAPAN: Authorities have placed the HFOs 1234yf, 1234e and 1233zd outside Japan’s strict new fluorocarbon emissions control laws.

The decision by Japan’s Ministry of the Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to exclude the HFOs from the new regulation, which took effect on April 1, means that they are not regulated in terms of curbing emissions or leakages, recovery and destruction for disposal, etc.

The decision was welcomed by HFO manufacturer Honeywell, which sells the new gases under its Solstice brand for use as refrigerants, propellants and solvents. It means that HFOs now join hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide in Japan’s non-flon category.

“Honeywell is proud to help Japan drive actions that will prevent global warming. The environmental superiority of our Solstice products has enabled this non-flon designation, which will help drive their adoption in Japan,” said Katsuyuki Takise, Asia business director for Honeywell’s Fluorine Products business.