GUIDELINES FOR USE OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
What are Ozone Depleting Substances?
The ozone layer is a thin shield found approximately twenty five (25) miles above the
earth’s surface consisting of ozone molecules. This natural shield acts as a filter,
screening out almost all the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, which protects human,
plant and marine life from the UV radiation. Excessive exposure to UV radiation can
lead to severe health effects including skin cancer. In 1972 depletion of this ozone layer
was discovered, attributed to the presence of a range of chemicals containing bromine
and fluorine, in particular a chemical known as CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons). These
chemicals are known as ozone depleting substances (ODS).
This finding was the impetus for the development of the international agreement called
Montreal Protocol, under which countries worldwide have committed to the phase out of
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), and the replacement of these damaging chemicals
with ozone-friendly substances and products. Trinidad and Tobago became signatory
to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer on August 28,
1989 and operates under paragraph 1 of Article V, which addresses developing
countries specifically.
Trinidad and Tobago ODS Licensing System for the Restriction of ODS Imports
The policy of the licensing system is to reduce the importation of chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) over time consistent with an ODS Phase-out Schedule. Under this schedule
Trinidad and Tobago will not be allowing any CFC into this country after
December 31st 2007.
Statutory Authority for the operation of the licensing system is to be found in the Trade
Ordinance, the Import and Export Control Regulations 1941 as well as in the Pesticides
and Toxic Chemical Act No. 42 of 1979, Legal Notice # 225 of 1987 – The Pesticides
(Registration and Import Licensing Regulations) 1987, and the Food and Drugs
Regulations. With effect from May 1st 1999, and in accordance with Trinidad and
Tobago’s obligation to introduce and implement an Import/Export Licensing System to
control ODS supply, the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago passed Legal Notice No. 69
of 1999 restricting the importation of certain ODS.
ODS Substances Restrictions
Import restrictions exist on all Ozone Depleting Substances as well as mixtures
containing ODS.
These ODS include:
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Chemical Name
Carbon tetrachloride
1, 1 1 - Trichloroethane
Methyl Bromide
Substance
Carbon tetrachloride
Methyl Chloroform
Methyl Bromide
Trichlorofluoromethane
CFC 11
Common Name
Methyl Bromide
Restrictions in place
R 11
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Dichlorodifluoromethane
CFC 12
R 12
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Trichlorotrifluoroethane
CFC 13
R 13
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Dichlorotetrafluoroethane
CFC 14
R 14
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Chloropentafluoroethane
CFC 115
R 115
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Chlorotrifluoromethane
CFC 13
R 13
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Pentachlorofluoroethane
CFC 111
R 111
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Tetrachlorodifluoroethane
CFC 112
R 112
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Heptachlorofluoropropane
CFC 211
R 211
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Hexachlorodifluoropropane
CFC 212
R 212
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Pentachlorotrifluoropropane
CFC 213
R 213
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Tetrachlorotetrafluoropropane CFC 214
R 214
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Trichloropentafluoropropane
CFC 215
R 215
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Dichlorohexafluoropropane
CFC 216
R 216
import banned after
December 31st 2007
Chloroheptafluoropropane
CFC 217
R 217
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import banned after
December 31st 2007
Bromochlorodifluoromethane
Halon 1211
Bromotrifluoromethane
Halon 1301
Dibromotetrafluoroethane
Halon 2402
All HCFCs
Includes HCFC 22 and all
blends of HCFCs including
R 415B
Halon 1211
Restrictions in place
Halon 1301
Restrictions in place
Halon 2402
Restrictions in place
R 22 and all blends
Import restrictions exist on all equipment requiring use of Ozone Depleting Substances
and their parts.
This includes:
 Compressors
 Air Conditioning Machines and their parts for Domestic and Commercial use
 Auto air-conditioning units and their parts for new and used vehicles (whether
mounted or not)
 Refrigerators, freezers and other freezing equipment, heating pumps and their
parts for domestic and commercial use
 Portable fire extinguishers using ODS, and their parts
Suggested alternatives
Certain properties (for example stability, non-toxicity and chemical inertness) have
made ODS ideal for use in many applications. Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs) are
currently being used as alternatives, but may be subject to controls in the future (due to
their global-warming potential) under the Climate Change Convention and the Kyoto
Protocol. Hydrocarbons are long-term alternatives to ODS, although their flammability
causes problems in many applications.
The table below lists applications involving Ozone Depleting Substances and includes
details of alternative substances and technologies.
Use
Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning
Ozone depleting
substances
CFC 11, 12, 113, 114, 115
HCFC 22, 123, 124
Alteratives
HFCs (e.g HFC 134a, or
HFC blends e.g 404a or
507)), hydrocarbons,
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ammonia, water
Alternative technologies:
gas-fired air conditioning,
adsorption chillers
Pest Control/Soil
Fumigation/Quarantine
Methyl bromide
Integrated pest
management systems
(e.g Golf Courses,
fumigating agent for
buildings for termites,
warehouses and food
processing facilities for
insects and rodents,
aircraft for rodents, and
ships (and other
transportation vehicles)
for various pests
Solvents (used for
cleaning precision parts)
No single alternative
Artificial substrates
Crop rotation
Phosphine, Chloropicrin,
1,3-dichloropropene,
Heat, Cold, CO2, Steam
treatments and
Combined/Controlled
atmospheres
CFC 113
HCFC 141b, 225
Change to maintenancefree or dry processes, noclean flux, aqueous and
semi-aqueous systems
1,1,1 trichloroethane
Hydrocarbons
Carbon tetrachloride
Hydrofluoroethers (HFEs)
Chlorinated solvents (e.g.
trichloroethylene)
Volatile flammable
solvents (e.g.methyl
alcohol)
Fire Extinction
Halons (e.g. halon-1301,
halon-1211)
Water, CO2, inert gases,
foam, HFCs
Foam Blowing/Rigid
CFC 11, 12, 113
Non-foam insulation,
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Insulation Foams
HCFC 22, 141b, 142b,
Aerosols
CFC 11, 12, 114
HFCs, hydrocarbons,
CO2, 2-chloropropane
HFCs, hydrocarbons,
pump sprays
Technician Requirements
Training is currently being offered by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Association (ARIA) in Good Refrigeration Practices. It is highly suggested that all
technicians operating in the Mobile Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Sector be
exposed to this training and be fully trained in the handling of ODS.
Retofitting
The need to retrofit existing ODS systems has been brought about as a result of the
imminent CFC-shortages would threaten the useful life of the CFC based appliances.
This shortage is as a result of the Phase Out CFCs and other ozone depleting
substances under the Montreal Protocol. Retrofitting, recovery and recycling are
highly encouraged under the Montreal Protocol and in Trinidad and Tobago.

Retrofitting” means the process by which equipment currently using an ODS
refrigerant is made to run on a non-ODS refrigerant

“Recovery" means the removal of refrigerant in any condition (vapour, liquid, or
mixed with other substances) from a system and its storage in an external
container.

"Recycling" means the reduction of contaminants contained in used refrigerants
by separating oil, removing condensables and using devices such as filter dryers
to reduce moisture, acidity and particulates.
It is therefore suggested that, where possible, CFC based systems in the mobile air
conditioning and refrigeration sector be retrofitted to use an alternative ozone friendly
refrigerant.
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