Japan’s Policies offluorocarbons
management(refrigerant transition)
Fluoride Gases Management Office,Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Office of Fluorocarbons Control Policy,
Ministry of the Environment
JapanJuly 2019

Key Points in the Kigali Amendment to MontrealProtocol

 In October 2016, the Montreal Protocol was amended in Kigali, Republic of Rwanda.
The amended Protocol states obligation to reducing (phase-down) production
and consumption of HFCs with high greenhouse effect, which in turn havepotential impact on global warming.
 Japan determined to amend the Ozone Layer Protection Law in June 2018 as anational collateral measure to reflect the Kigali Amendment, and to implement
measures such as controlling manufactures and imports of HFCs.
 Japan accepted the Kigali Amendment in 2018 (more than 70 countries have
ratified the Amendment as of July, 2019). The control has entered into force onJanuary 1, 2019.

high GWPs

ODS(CFCs, HCFCs)

HFCs

KigaliAmendment

Low-GWP
alternatives

1Measures for refrigerators and ACs
 Measures to improve energy efficiency of RACs
⇒ Top Runner Program in Energy Saving Act: set highest possible valueof EE at the time of target setting as the target value
 Measures to ensure safety:⇒ various legal systems depending on the what type of safety (toxicity,flammability, pressure control etc.)
 Measures for smooth refrigerant/material transition to low-GWP
alternatives⇒ Ozone Layer Protection Law, Fluorocarbons Emission Restraining
Law etc. will be explained in detail in this presentation.

2

(Regulations) The Relevancy of Ozone Layer Protection Law andFluorocarbons Emission Restraining Law
Ozone Layer Protection Law

 Protection of Ozone Layer
 Appropriate and Smooth
Implementation of the MontrealProtocol

 Restraining Emission of Fluorocarbons into theAtmosphere Rationalization of Use and Optimization ofMaintenance/Management of Fluorocarbons

Step Manufacture and Import Manufacture and Import/Use, Maintenance, andDisposal

Gases Fluorocarbons(CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs)

 Fluorocarbons (CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs)

Scope ofControl

Legal Objective

Equipment

Control Measures

Fluorocarbons Emission Restraining Law－ Equipment Using Fluorocarbons

Minister
Publication

 Baseline Limitation

 Estimated Use of Fluorocarbons

Manufacture Permission System Reduction of Domestic Shipments ofFluorocarbons【Striving Provisions】

ImportManufacture ofEquipment
Equipment Use,Maintenance,and Disposalof Equipment

 Approval System (According toForeign Exchange Control Law)－

 Reduction of Environmental Impacts ofFluorocarbons Used in Products【Striving Provisions】－

 Obligation to Equipment Inspection andMaintenance Obligation to Report on Leakage ofFluorocarbons
 Obligation to Recover Fluorocarbons During
Equipment Disposal3Summary of 2018 Revision of Ozone Layer ProtectionLaw
 Under the revised law, the manufactures and imports of HFCs are controlledin accordance with the Kigali Amendment to fulfill the obligation to the phasedown of production and consumption of HFCs.
※The same regulatory framework have been applied to manufactures and imports ofCFCs and HCFCs.

 The Law was enacted in 2018, and came into force on January 1, 2019.

Principal Measures○The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI) along with the Ministry of theEnvironment(MOE) determine and publish the limit of production as well as
consumption of HFCs which Japan should comply in accordance with the Protocol.
○Manufactures and imports of HFCs should be accorded the following:
・Who seeks to manufacture must receive permission and be assigned a quota from theMETI.
・Who seeks to import must receive permission and be assigned a quota from METI inaccordance with provisions of Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
※HFCs are used mainly for refrigerants in freezers and air conditioning equipment (approximately 90%), inother cases for foam agents, cleaning agents, and so forth.
4Phase-Down of HFCs in Accordance with the Revised Ozone Layer
Protection Law
 After January 1, 2019, the national baselines of production and consumption of HFCs areto be cut back step by step (phase-down), in accordance with the Kigali Amendment.
 By promoting development and introduction of technologies of low-GWP or nonfluorocarbons refrigerant and equipment, Japan is aiming to be well-prepared inadvance to accomplish the target-baselines set each year, in which 2029 will beespecially challenging year with (2.145 Mt-CO2).
 And hoping that our commitment to develop leading low-GWP refrigerant technologies cancontribute the transition of the world.
Scheduled Phase-Down of Baselines of the Consumption Based on the Kigali Amendment(Million CO2-t)

Baseline –71.5▲10％ 64.4

Total Sum –49.0
43.4▲40％ 42.9

36.5▲70％ 21.5

Estimated Amount of consumption ofHFCs in Japan2017cy2019cy 2020fy 2024cy 2025fy（estimated）（estimated）

2029cy▲80％
14.3▲85％ 10.72034cy 2036cy

CY – Calendar Year(January to December), FY – Financial Year(April to March)※ Baseline is extracted from average values calculated with actual results between 2011-2013.

5

(Note) Operational Concept of Quota System of HFCs
 To ensure progress of consumption reduction while maintaining sustainability ofsupply and businesses, individual business operator is to be assigned with an upper
limit (hereinafter called as applicable baseline) which is based on the consumption
amount (= manufacture – exports + imports; i.e., total domestic shipping).
 The applicable baseline for 2019 is was calculated and the quota was assigned basedon actual results, and the level of the baseline will be reduced every year.

 The year-on-year baseline reduction rate is to be constant among all operators inprinciple to establish the fair system.
＜A View of Applicable Baselines among Individual Business Operators＞

Actual Consumption

n＋One Year

Assigned Amount Based on Consumption

Actual Consumptionn YearAssigned Amount Based on Consumption

Actual Consumption

Assigned Amount Based on Consumption

Applicable Baseline※Reduction Rate is
Imposed Each Yearn＋2 Years

6Prospected Amount of consumption of HFCs in Japan(Fluorocarbons Emission Restraining Law)
• The government will estimate and draw up “Prospected Amount ofConsumption of HFCs” at certain target year.
• Fluorocarbons manufacturers must develop their own plans to rationalize theuse of fluorocarbons based on the “Prospected Amount.”＜The Prospected Amount on FY2020＞
43.4 mil.t-CO2 → About 40% reduction from BAU shipment volume＜The Prospected Amount on FY2025＞
36.5 mil.t-CO2 → About 50% reduction from BAU shipment volume

7

Regulation on Designated Products Based on Fluorocarbons Emission
Restraining Law

 The aim of Regulation on Designated Products is promoting lower-GWP alternatives into
the products containing HFCs.
 In the regulation, manufacturing and import companies are required to meet a target ofGWP value to their products if specified as the designated products, such as residential airconditioners, until the specified year. The target values are calculated by the weighted
average with each product type that is to be shipped by the manufacturing and importcompanies.
Designated
Products

Index Related to Environmental Impacts

High GWP
TY
PEa・Fluorocarbon Refrigerants
GWP = A(Large Size)

TY
P
Eb(Medium andSmall Size)

 A target value is determined in view of arefrigerant having the minimum GWP value
at present (i.e. a Top Runner).
 Safety, economic efficiency, energy-saving
affordability etc. are considered.

Companies areImplementing Efforts with
Their Original Ideas to
Aim for Conversion to
Low GWP Refrigerants
・Fluorocarbon Refrigerants
GWP = B

Target GWPTYPE

a・Lower-GWP Refrigerants
GWP = C < ATYPEb

・Lower-GWP Refrigerants
GWP = D < B

Low GWPAt the Time of Target Setting

Targeted Fiscal Year8

Products Designated in the Current Regulation

 The following 9 areas are subject of the designated products in consideration of thesituation of technology development and safety assessment of products in response tothe respective alternative nominations.
 A product that is exempt from its designation is under review to include whenevernecessary as soon as the requirements are set. For those already included in the list
specified, their target values and years for achievement are to be revised in a timelymanner.
Sections (Types) of designated Products

Residential Air Conditioners (Excluding Through-the-Wall Types)

Currently Used Main
Refrigerants and GWPs

TargetGWPs

TargetYears(FY)

R410A(2090), R32(675)

750

2018

750

2020

750

2023

100

2023

R134a(1430)

150

2023

R404A(3920),
R410A(2090),
R407C(1770), CO2(1)

1500

2025

R404A(3920), NH3(1)

100

2019

HFC-245fa(1030),
HFC-365mfc(795)

100

2020

HFC-134a(1430),
HFC-152a(124),DME(1)102019Stores/Shop/Office Air Conditioners①Those with Legal Freezing Capacity of Less Than 3
R410A(2090), R32(675)
Tons, Excluding Floor Type
②Those with Legal Freezing Capacity of 3 Tons or
R410A(2090)
More Excluding ③ and Floor Type
③ Those Central Air Conditioners Using Centrifugal
R134a(1430),
Chillers
R245fa(1030)
Automotive Air Conditioners(Limited only to Those Listed as Passenger Vehicles (Excluding
Automobiles with 11 or More Passengers)

Condensing Units and Stationary Type Freezer
Refrigerator Units (Excluding Condensing Units with Rated

Output of 1.5kW or Less)

Central System Freezer Refrigerator Equipment(Limited to Those Shipped for Newly Installed Freezer
Refrigerators with Freezing Capacity of 50,000m3 or More)

Insulating Material Using Rigid Urethane Foams(Limited to Those Used for House Building Material and Formed
at Building Sites)

Sprayer Exclusively Filled with Propellants(Excluding Uses That Require Non-flammability)

9Situation of Introducing HFCs and Low-GWP Refrigerants※Blue Letters: Slightly Flammable
Red Letters: Flammable

Areas①
Conversion
completed orin progress

FieldsHome Freezer Refrigerators
Vending Machines

Automotive Air Conditioners

Current Alternative Fluorocarbons(HFCs) Refrigerants (GWPs)（HFC-134a（1,430））

Low-GWP Refrigerants to be Used
Instead of HFCs
Isobutane（HFC-134a（1,430））（HFC-407C（1,770））

CO2,Isobutane,
HFO-1234yf

HFC-134a（1,430）

HFO-1234yf※Refrigerants
For All Newly
ShippedItems are
AlreadyConverted
into Low-GWP
substances※Replacement is in Progress.

②Alternativerefrigerants
available butwith
challenging
issues toensure
dissemination③
Alternativerefrigerants
in search

Ultra-Cold Freezer Refrigerators

HFC-23（14,800）

Air
NH3, CO2

Large Size Commercial Freezer
Refrigerators
Medium Size Commercial
Freezer Refrigerators(Separately Installed Showcasesetc.)

HFC-404A（3,920）
HFC-410A（2,090）

Small Size Commercial Freezer
Refrigerators

HFC-404A（3,920）
HFC-410A（2,090）

Commercial Air Conditioners

HFC-410A（2,090）
HFC-32（675）Home Air Conditioners

HFC-32（675)CO2(Replacement Candidates beingSearched)※GWP: Global Warming Potential (A Value Indicating Intensity of Global Warming Impact, with CO2 being 1)※HFC-407C: Mixed Refrigerant of HFC-32, 125, and 134a (23:25:52)
HFC-404A: Mixed Refrigerant of HFC-125, 143a, and 134a (44:52:4)
HFC-410A: Mixed Refrigerant of HFC-32 and 125 (1:1)

10(Note) The Present Mapping to Depict Alternative Refrigerants③Alternativerefrigerants
in search

Ammonia（Several %)CO2 (Minimum)
CO2(Approximately 1%)

Air (Minimum)

Commercial Air
Conditioners

Large Size Freezer Storage
Medium Size
Warehouses/Ultra Cold
CommercialFreezers
Freezers
and Refrigerators
Domestic Shipments:Approximately Several
Thousand Units/Year

Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 800,000 Units/Year

Domestic Shipments:
Approximately
120,000 Units/Year

Amount of Filling
Refrigerant: Large
Introduction Cost:
High
Safety Risk: HighHome Air
Conditioners②Alternativerefrigerants available
but with challenging
issues to ensure
dissemination

Large

Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 8.5 Million Units/Year

Size of Equipment

Small Size
国内出荷：約10Freezers and万台／年
Refrigerators
Domestic Shipments:
Approximately
230,000 Units/Year

Isobutane
Home Freezer Refrigerators

Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 4.6 MillionUnits/YearSmall

HFOCO2

Automotive Air Conditioning Systems

Hot Water Supply Systems
Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 400,000 Units/Year

Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 4.5 Million Units/Year①Conversion
completed or inprogress

Amount of Filling
Refrigerant: Small
Introduction Cost:
Low
Safety Risk: Low

CO2
Isobutane
HFO
Vending Machines
Domestic Shipments:
Approximately 300,000 Units/Year

-60

-40
Industrial Freezing

-20

-100℃
Cooling

1020
Air Conditioning

40

Heating60～11

Promoting Development and Introduction of Low-GWP
Refrigerants Technologies

 Japanese government is set out to promote development and introduction of low-GWP
refrigerants, assigning the following task to each ministry:
METI – Research and development pertaining to fields in which no alternativetechnologies are expected at present.
MOE – Support to introduce equipment with low-GWP technologies in fields nearly atpractical use but with issues such as cost.

Development Project on the Next Generation Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies,
and Assessment Methods (METI)
Draft Budget: 650 Million Yen in FY2019 (250 Million Yen in FY2018) Time Period: 5 Years (2018-2022)
・As many of the low-GWP alternatives are classified with some level of flammability,

their practical use should be assessed in terms of ignition risks depending on leakage.
・The goal is to establish assessment methods on flammability under industrialacademic cooperation. The methods are aiming for international standardization.
・ Furthermore, development of the low-GWP refrigerant and equipment
technologies to satisfy the balance between low greenhouse effect as well as
energy saving and safety, will be assisted to thereby accelerate the process topractical use.

Grant
Govern-ment①Contract

NEDO②FinancialAssistance (1/2)

Universities
andResearchInstitutes
PrivateCompaniesand Others

Project to Accelerate Introduction of Energy Saving-Type Natural Refrigerant Equipment To
Realize Fluorocarbon-Free and Low Carbon Society (MOE)
Draft Budget: 7.5 Billion Yen in the FY2019 (6.5 Billion Yen in FY2018) Time Period: 5 Years (2018-2022)
・Whereas the technologies of an energy saving-type natural refrigerant to replace
fluorocarbons equipment are available in some areas, introduction of thosetechnologies is limited due to high initial costs.
・For this reason, introduction of natural refrigerant equipment with highenergy-saving capacity will be assisted and accelerated, thereby we willproceed with fluorocarbon-free and low carbon society.
・In conjunction with this project, constant demands on energy-saving-baseequipment using natural refrigerant will be created, contributing to efforts toward
cost reduction among equipment manufacturers.

Grant

Govern-ment

Financial Assistance（1/3 or Less）
Business
Nonprofit
Operators
Corporations
etc.

18

Thank you for your attention.

https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/chemical_management/oz
one/index.html

http://www.env.go.jp/earth/furon/13