Editing Montreal Protocol (section)

=== Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Phase-out Management Plan ===

The purpose of the treaty is that each signatory states:

{{blockquote|Recognizing that worldwide emissions of certain substances can significantly deplete and otherwise modify the ozone layer in a manner that is likely to result in adverse effects on human health and the environment.  Determined to protect the ozone layer by taking precautionary measures to control equitably total global emissions of substances that deplete it with the ultimate objective of their elimination on the basis of developments in scientific knowledge

Acknowledging that special provision is required to meet the needs of developing countries

shall accept a series of stepped limits on [[Chlorofluorocarbon|CFC]] use and production, including:

{{block indent|<!-- Needed for indent on mobile -->{{plainlist|
* from 1991 to 1992 its levels of consumption and production of the controlled substances in Group I of Annex A do not exceed 150 percent of its calculated levels of production and consumption of those substances in 1986;
* from 1994 its calculated level of consumption and production of the controlled substances in Group I of Annex A does not exceed, annually, twenty-five percent of its calculated level of consumption and production in 1986.
* from 1996 its calculated level of consumption and production of the controlled substances in Group I of Annex A does not exceed zero.}}}}}}

There was a faster phase-out of halon-1211, -2402, -1301, There was a slower phase-out (to zero by 2010) of other substances (halon 1211, 1301, 2402; CFCs 13, 111, 112, etc.){{Contradictory inline|date=January 2017}} and some chemicals were given individual attention ([[Carbon tetrachloride]]; [[1,1,1-Trichloroethane|1,1,1-trichloroethane]]). The phasing-out of the less damaging [[HCFC]]s only began in 1996 and will go on until a complete phasing-out is achieved by 2030.

There were a few exceptions for "essential uses" where no acceptable substitutes were initially found (for example, metered dose inhalers commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were previously exempt) or [[Halomethane|Halon]] fire suppression systems used in submarines and aircraft (but not in general industry).

The substances in Group I of Annex A are:

* CFCl<sub>3</sub> ([[Trichlorofluoromethane|CFC-11]])
* CF<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub> ([[Dichlorodifluoromethane|CFC-12]])
* C<sub>2</sub>F<sub>3</sub>Cl<sub>3</sub> ([[CFC-113]])
* C<sub>2</sub>F<sub>4</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>([[CFC-114]])
* C<sub>2</sub>F<sub>5</sub>Cl ([[CFC-115]])

The provisions of the Protocol include the requirement that the Parties to the Protocol base their future decisions on the current scientific, environmental, technical, and economic information that is assessed through panels drawn from the worldwide expert communities. To provide that input to the decision-making process, advances in understanding on these topics were assessed in 1989, 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2002 in a series of reports entitled [[Scientific assessment of ozone depletion]], by the Scientific Assessment Panel (SAP).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ozone.unep.org/en/assessment-panels/scientific-assessment-panel|title=Scientific Assessment Panel {{!}} OZONE SECRETARIAT|website=ozone.unep.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424202422/http://ozone.unep.org/en/assessment-panels/scientific-assessment-panel|archive-date=24 April 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1990 a Technology and Economic Assessment Panel was also established as the technology and economics advisory body to the Montreal Protocol Parties.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ozone.unep.org/en/assessment-panels/technology-and-economic-assessment-panel|title=Technology and Economic Assessment Panel {{!}} OZONE SECRETARIAT|website=ozone.unep.org|language=en|access-date=2018-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126070701/http://ozone.unep.org/en/assessment-panels/technology-and-economic-assessment-panel|archive-date=26 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP) provides, at the request of Parties, technical information related to the alternative technologies that have been investigated and employed to make it possible to virtually eliminate use of Ozone Depleting Substances (such as CFCs and Halons), that harm the ozone layer. The TEAP is also tasked by the Parties every year to assess and evaluate various technical issues including evaluating nominations for essential use exemptions for CFCs and halons, and nominations for critical use exemptions for methyl bromide. TEAP's annual reports are a basis for the Parties' informed decision-making.

Numerous reports have been published by various inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations to catalogue and assess alternatives to the ozone depleting substances, since the substances have been used in various technical sectors, like in refrigeration, air conditioning, flexible and rigid foam, fire protection, aerospace, electronics, agriculture, and laboratory measurements.<ref>Use of ozone depleting substances in laboratories. TemaNord 2003:516. http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:796602/FULLTEXT01.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121220053/http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:796602/FULLTEXT01.pdf |date=21 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>The Technical and Economic Feasibility of Replacing Methyl Bromide in Developing Countries. Friends of the Earth, Washington, 173 pp, 1996</ref><ref>Guidance on the DOE Facility Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances. 1995. {{cite web |url=http://homer.ornl.gov/nuclearsafety/nsea/oepa/guidance/ozone/phaseout.pdf |title=Guidance on the DOE Facility Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances |access-date=2007-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227052411/http://homer.ornl.gov/nuclearsafety/nsea/oepa/guidance/ozone/phaseout.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2008 }}</ref>