General information

ODS generally contain chlorine, fluorine, bromine, carbon, and hydrogen in varying proportions and are often described by the general term halocarbons. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform are important human-produced ozone-depleting gases. Another important group of human-produced halocarbons are the halons, which contain carbon, bromine, fluorine, and (in some cases) chlorine. Most known substances with a significant ozone depleting potential are covered by the Montreal Protocol which aims to phase out ODS. The corresponding EU legislation is Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (17) (see paragraph below). These substances have a significant potential to harm the ozone layer for two reasons. The first is that they do not break down in the lower atmosphere — they can remain in the atmosphere for long time periods. The second is that they contain chlorine and/or bromine and thus help the natural reactions that destroy ozone (18).

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07