If you...

Produce and market these substances

You can only produce and market ODS as a feedstock for producing non-ODS substances (e.g. Teflon) or for laboratory and analytical work. You must not release ODS into the atmosphere and from 1 July 2010 you must clearly label feedstock ODS and indicate that it can only be used for that purpose. F-gases are often used as a replacement for ODS and the use of F-gases is also strictly regulated.

You need a licence from the European Commission to manufacture, import or export a tonne or more of ODS to or from countries outside the EU. The European Commission website provides guidance on applying for these licences.

If your business imports or exports one tonne or more per year of F-gases to or from countries outside of the EU you must report to the European Commission.

Store these substances

You must not use solvents containing ODS. If you have any stores of these solvents, which are classed as hazardous waste, you must dispose of them correctly1.

Use these substances (e.g. air conditioning)

If you own or operate refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment that contains ODS you must:

Take steps to prevent, minimise and repair leaks;
Recover ODS during servicing, maintenance and at the end of the equipment's life;
Use a qualified person to service and decommission the equipment;
Transport ODS in refillable containers; and
Label containers as reclaimed ODS, with the batch number and the source of the ODS.

If your stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning system contains more than 3kg of ODS you must:

Test for leaks at least once a year; and
Keep records about your equipment, including service history.

Penalties & Implications of non-compliance:

The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcement and may impose a fine.

Further Information:

Defra: http://www.defra.gov.uk
NetRegs: http://www.netregs.gov.uk
Business Link: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk