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Press Release

Cabinet Ordinance Partially Amending the Enforcement Ordinance of the Law concerning the Protection of the Ozone Layer through the Control of Specified Substances and Other Measures

November 29, 2004

Cabinet Ordinance Partially Amending the Enforcement Ordinance of the Law concerning the Protection of the Ozone Layer through the Control of Specified Substances and Other Measures is to be endorsed by the Cabinet on November 30, 2004, in order to amend the regulations to ensure steady implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (hereinafter referred to as the "Montreal Protocol").

On December 31, 2004, manufacture and import of methyl bromide will be banned in line with the obligations stipulated in the Montreal Protocol. Manufacturing small amount of methyl bromide*1 (listed in the Group 1 of the Montreal Protocol) will be subject to an approval system, consequently the existing prior notification system will be abolished.

Production of chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)*2 was abolished in 1995. However, production of CFCs for laboratory and analytical use was considered to be essential, and was exceptionally allowed until December 31, 2005. In the 16th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol held in November 2004, the deadline was decided to be extended until the end of December 2007, and the deadline stipulated in the Ordinance was also extended until the same date.

Notes: 1. Methyl bromide is one of the ozone depleting substances and used in agricultural chemicals and wood fumigant.
  2. Restriction of the use of chlorofluorocarbons as an ozone depleting substance has already started. This substance was used as refrigerant for air conditioners and/or metal solvent.

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