UNEP offers advice on dealing with seized refrigerants
3rd February 2020FRANCE: OzonAction is targeting developing (Article 5) countries with advice and options available for dealing with seized ODS or HFC refrigerants.
What to do with refrigerants, other F-gases and ozone depleting substances seized from illegal trade creates a dilemma for national authorities.
In deciding how to deal with such seizures there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration, although national laws and the provisions of the import/export licensing system may prescribe what happens to seized ODS or HFCs.
The OzonAction factsheet summarises the five main options available to countries, outlining the various considerations and the pros and cons of these options. The main options are to send it back to the country of origin/exporting country, destruction/export for destruction, storage in a customs warehouse, or auction to an eligible enterprise.
Customs and enforcement agencies are advised to coordinate with the National Ozone Unit (NOU) to inform them of any seizure who can provide guidance in making decisions on what happens to the seized chemicals. It accepts that the most appropriate option will depend on the country-specific situation, where the ODS is seized/ confiscated and the costs involved.
OzonAction is a branch of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The document is free to download here.
