To align with international environmental conventions and strengthen control over ozone-depleting substances, the Department of Atmospheric Environment under the Ministry of Environment of Taiwan, China preliminarily released revised Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Consumption Management Regulations on June 11, 2025. The regulations have been renamed the Hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Management Regulations. The purpose of this revision is to achieve the goal of reducing HCFC consumption to zero starting January 1, 2026.
The MOE stated that the core of this revision is to align with the latest control requirements of the Montreal Protocol. The main amendments include:
- Strengthened Total Quantity Control: Revising the HCFCs production and consumption control schedule and annual caps to ensure the 2026 zero-consumption target.
- Simplified Allocation Process: Streamlining the current allocation system to once annually. Competent authorities will determine companies' allocation quotas for the following year by the end of October each year.
- Regulated Exemption Applications: Clarifying the application and review procedures for exemption uses (e.g., specific essential uses) that, according to the Montreal Protocol, are not counted towards consumption calculations. Eligible companies must submit applications, descriptions of use and non-substitutability, and proof of demand by the end of January or July each year. Competent authorities will complete the review and approval by the end of April or October, respectively.
- Enhanced Import and Reporting Management: Requiring companies holding allocation quotas or exemption import approvals to apply for import or production permits using the approval documents. Companies must also regularly report data on usage, sales, and inventory. Violators will face penalties.
- Clarified Import/Export Restrictions for Products/Equipment: Reiterating that products or equipment containing HCFCs are prohibited from import without a permit. Imports and exports are restricted to countries or regions permitted and announced under the Protocol.
- New Violation Disposal Measures: HCFCs or HCFC-containing products/equipment imported without permits will be required to undergo re-export if not yet cleared through customs. Confiscated goods will be disposed of through methods such as recovery, re-refining, auction/sale, or destruction.
The MOE emphasized that this revision aims to enhance the effectiveness of HCFCs management by optimizing administrative processes, plugging loopholes for illegal imports, and clarifying disposal measures. It demonstrates Taiwan region of China's commitment to protecting the ozone layer and safeguarding human health in step with the international community. The public is invited to provide comments or suggestions on the draft revisions within 60 days (by August 10, 2025).
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