Substances that deplete the ozone layer may only continue to be produced or placed on the market in exceptional cases. These substances are subject to a special monitoring obligation.

Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on substances that deplete the ozone layer controls the production, importation, exportation, placing on the market, use, recovery, recycling and reclamation and destruction of substances that harm the ozone layer.

The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division 5 - Federal Office for Chemicals / Authorisation of Biocides - is the competent authority within the meaning of this Regulation and supports the EC Commission with the implementation of the CFC Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000.

Quotas allocated by the Commission are necessary for the production and use of controlled substances.

Applications for licences for the importation and exportation of controlled substances must be made to the Commission, whereof the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division 5, and the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) are informed by copy.

Beyond the European Regulation, the national Chemicals Ozone Layer Ordinance (Chemikalien-Ozonschichtverordnung - ChemOzonSchichtV) regulates the production, the placing on the market, the use and recovery of certain substances harmful to the ozone layer in pressurized gas packages, refrigerants, extinguishing agents, plastic foams, cleaning products and solvents.