Synthetic greenhouse gases under control and better protection of ozone layer

(Last modification 19.06.2007)

Bern, 30.04.2003 - The main objectives of the modification of the ordinance on substances (Osubst) approved today by the Federal Council are to limit synthetic greenhouse gas emissions and to improve the protection of the ozone layer. In the sectors of air conditioning, refrigeration, electric and thermal insulation, synthetic gases will be limited to a strict minimum. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons which destroy the ozone layer) will be totally banned by 2004. The new provisions, drawn up with the industrial and commercial sectors concerned will come into force on 1 July 2003.

New synthetic gases – HFC, PFC and SF6 – have recently appeared on the market, mainly to replace the CFCs, which are being progressively banned due to their destructive effect on the ozone layer. Most of these gases have, however, a great greenhouse effect potential – 1,000 to 24,000 times higher than that of CO2 – and persist in the atmosphere for centuries or millennia. Their use is on the increase and they now represent around 1% of greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity. This figure could triple by 2010 if no measures are taken to counteract this. These gases are mainly used for refrigeration, synthetic foams, electric insulation, solvents and aerosols.

Since the beginning of the 1990s the Federal Council has been recommending the greatest reserve in the use of these synthetic gases in keeping with its integrated products policy. Their regulation in the Osubst – under the generic name of substances stable in the air – is possible today as replacement solutions exist and show a positive environmental result. There are three main lines of action: to limit the use of substances stable in the air solely to those cases where there is no preferable alternative; if used, to reduce emissions as far as possible, and thirdly voluntary binding agreements developed by the industrial branch.

The new provisions (see box) have been drawn up with the industrial and commercial sectors concerned. They define a clear framework allowing sectors to take strategic choices promptly in order to limit the emissions of substances stable in the atmosphere. Their compatibility with future European regulations will be checked in order to prevent unjustified technical barriers.
The SAEFL will also draw up specific recommendations for refrigeration, foam and aerosol sectors along with the cantons and the professional circles.

Total ban on CFCs

The modification of the Osubst, also makes it possible to implement the amendments of the Montreal Protocol adopted in 1997 and 1999 and ratified by Switzerland in August 2002. It stipulates, inter alia, the ban as of 2004 on recharging cooling/air conditioning installations by means of CFCs, the setting up of an authorisation system for imports and exports of substances which deplete the ozone layer and a ban on exporting refrigeration/air conditioning equipment which operate by means of substances depleting the ozone layer and which are banned in Switzerland. This measure aims particularly at not perpetuating the dependence of developing countries on CFCs.

These provisions establish in the Osubst measures that have already been widely implemented in the industrial and small-scale business sectors concerned. They are compatible with European provisions and complete the measures for the protection of the ozone layer, which are already in force in Switzerland.

Specific provisions
- No more SF6s in sports shoes as of next year: Of the applications of PFC and SF6 in Switzerland, use in tyres, insulating windows and sports shoes are no longer accepted. Other uses are authorised insofar as there is no preferable alternative and when emissions are reduced to a minimum according to the state of the art. The uses of SF6s for high-tension switches and trip switches have their own voluntary agreement in the sector. The level and the volume of emissions are limited, and the recovery of SF6s taken out of equipment is guaranteed. These uses are therefore still authorised under the Ordinance.
- Cooling techniques: partial ban and increased monitoring: In refrigeration / air conditioning there are alternatives to substances stable in the air– every bit as efficient in terms of energy. Modern architectural techniques also make it possible in some cases to go without any air conditioning system at all. The regulations therefore provide for the following:
a) a calendar of bans on substances stable in the atmosphere for several categories of household appliances (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners)
b) a cantonal authorisation procedure based on the state of the art applicable to new fixed refrigerating installations and heat pumps operating by means of more than 3 kg of substances stable in the atmosphere
c) measures to reduce emissions (periodic control of waterproofness, maintenance booklet, for example) for all mobile installations and for fixed installations containing more than 3 kg of refrigerant stable in the air or depleting the ozone layer.
- Synthetic foams: limitation of uses: If it is not regulated, the synthetic foams sector is likely to become one of the two main sectors in Switzerland that emit stable substances into the air by 2010 (25% of the emissions). The only measures still available for limiting these emissions significantly are to limit their use. The Ordinance provides for the authorisation of the use of substances stable in the air in synthetic foams only for thermal insulation and when no preferable viable alternative exists.
- Aerosol spray: exceptions: According to the present technical possibilities, the use of these non flammable substances stable in the air is still necessary in measured inhalers for the treatment of chronic respiratory illnesses, in aerosol sprays for cleaning electric and electronic equipment that is switched on, as well as in montage foam sprays where security conditions warrant this.



Publisher

Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications
https://www.uvek.admin.ch/uvek/en/home.html

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-1667.html