Ozone-depleting substances (ODS), including CFCs and HCFCs, have been commonly used as refrigerant fluids in refrigeration equipment.
ODS found in older refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment are:
- CFCs - CFC11, CFC12, CFC502, CFC13, CFC115, CFC113, CFC500, CFC114, CFC503.
- HCFCs - HCFC22 (R22) , HCFC123, HCFC124.
- Refrigerant blends containing HCFCs - R401A, R401B, R402A, R402B, R403A, R403B, R406A, R408A, R409A, R409B, R411B.
- Halon refrigerant – R13B1.
If you manufacture new refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment you must not use HCFCs, CFCs or Halons.
You should always try to use alternatives to CFCs and HCFCs, such as HFCs.
What you must do
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
- 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
- keep records about your equipment, including service history.
Test for leaks
If your stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning system contains 3kg or more of ODS, or 6kg or more if it is hermetically sealed, you must test for leaks at least once a year.
If your stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning system, of any type, contains 30kg or more of ODS you must test for leaks at least once every six months.
If your stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment contains 300kg or more of ODS you must test for leaks at least once every three months.
If you find a leak you must repair it within 14 days. You must re-check your system for leaks within one month of repairing a leak.
Maintain and service your refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment
You must recover all ODS during servicing and maintenance of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. You must also recover all ODS before dismantling or disposing of equipment.
You must not use CFCs or halons from any source to maintain refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment.
If you maintain and service refrigeration and air-conditioning systems you must not use virgin HCFCs.
You may use HCFC refrigerants that are labelled as recycled, recovered or reclaimed from similar equipment or buy recycled HCFCs on the open market until 31 December 2014.
The use of HCFCs, including recycled HCFCs, for servicing and maintaining equipment will be banned from 1 January 2015.
What qualifications do you need to work with ozone-depleting substances (ODS)?
You must hold a miminum qualification to carry out specific tasks on certain types of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment if it contains ODS. These are listed in schedule 1 of the Ozone-Depleting Substances (Qualifications) Regulations.
England, Scotland and Wales
How to dispose of refrigeration equipment containing ODS
If you dispose of equipment containing ODS you must comply with the duty of care for waste.
You should use a specialist fridge disposal business to dispose of refrigeration equipment containing ODS.
Alternatively local traders or charities may accept refrigeration equipment that is in good working order. Check your local telephone directory for details. Refrigeration units may be refurbished for sale anywhere within the EU.
To search for companies near you that recover and recycle refrigeration equipment, see the LetsRecycle directory.
For further information consult your local council. Local councils do not have to accept waste refrigeration equipment from businesses, but they may be able to offer advice.
Further information
The Institute of Refrigeration website provides practical guidance on reducing leaks.
