Japan eyes permit system for production of heat-trapping HFCs

September 12, 2017

TOKYO- A Japanese government panel approved on Tuesday a policy of introducing a permission system for producing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), mainly used in air conditioners as substitutes for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The policy was adopted at a meeting of a joint subcommittee of the Central Environment Council, an advisory panel for the environment minister, and the Industrial Structure Council, which advises the industry minister.

Japan, as well as other developed countries, has agreed to reduce the use of HFCs, which have far stronger heat-trapping effects than carbon dioxide, in stages from 2019.

The Asian country will tighten regulations on HFCs to levels similar to those governing ozone-depleting CFCs.

The two ministries are set to submit legislation to revise the ozone layer protection law to the next year's ordinary session of the Diet, Japan's parliament.

As HFCs do not destroy the ozone layer, they have been widely used as an alternative refrigerant.

But given their powerful heat-trapping effects, Japan and other parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer adopted an amendment to regulate the HFC production, at a meeting in October 2016. Jiji Press