Ozone-depleting substances set for phaseout by 2010

The Philippines will completely phase-out the importation and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), an ozone depleting substance (ODS) by the year 2010.

During the phase-out process, importation of CFCs will be controlled until ozone-friendly alternatives are found to replace them. Continuous monitoring and regulation of the use of existing ones will be undertaken to account for the current imported CFCs.

ODS are chemical substances used by different industries that when released in the atmosphere can cause ozone layer depletion or destruction. The ozone hole, now as big as Central America, allows ultraviolet (UV) radiation to enter the earth. Ultraviolet radiation B or UV-B is a dangerous radiation which can cause adverse effect on all life forms.

Some of its effects are: deterioration of the immune system, increase in eye diseases and skin cancer, low quality agricultural products, destruction of marine life, and degradation of building materials due to global warming.

CFC is one of the cheapest and most useful ODS used by the manufacturing (foam manufacturers, tear gas producers and refrigeration/air conditioner equipment manufacturers) and the service sectors (service shops/centers that cater to mobile air conditioners and refrigeration air conditioners). CFC 11 (R-11) and 12 (R-12), commonly termed as freon, are still being imported. R-134a is the present alternative used as refrigerants by manufacturers and some service shops.

The discovery of the ozone hole in 1985 led developed and developing countries to draw up an agreement known as the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. In this protocol, 184 countries agreed to gradually and phase-out the consumption of ODS.

The CFC phase-out will be implemented through the National CFC Phase-out Plan (NCPP). This is a comprehensive national CFC phase-out strategy that employs a combination of policy and regulatory interventions, investment and non-investment activities and technical assistance. Importation of CFCs is regulated through quotas. The NCPP, financed by the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, is being implemented in cooperation with the Government of Sweden and the World Bank.

The Project Management Unit – Philippine Ozone Desk (PMU-POD) of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is carrying out the program of the NCPP. Included in its program are: provision of technical and financial assistance to the different sectors that will shift to ozone-friendly technology and training of trainers in vocational schools supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Commission on Higher Education.

The Department of Trade and Industry and the DENR will also publish, for the consumer’s patronage, accredited shops that use ozone-friendly technology. An information campaign for consumers will also be undertaken to enhance their awareness on the importation of using CFC-free products and the significance of reporting illegal smuggling of ODS to the PMU-POD.