What actions have been taken by the European Union and United States to phase out HCFCs?
From January 2010, the use of virgin HCFCs is prohibited in maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment in EU countries. Therefore, the consumption of HCFCs in EU countries will be zero from 2010. The EU has also prohibited HCFC use in aerosols and solvents (except for some limited specific applications). The US EPA will ban production and import of HCFC-22 and HCFC-142b except for on-going servicing needs in equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010. As of January 1, 2003, USEPA banned production and import of HCFC-141b. On March 19, 2007, the USEPA finalised a rule determining that HCFC-22 is unacceptable to use as a foam blowing agent.
