WRITTEN QUESTION E-1967/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulation (EC) 2037/2000

Which Member States have informed the Commission that they are now complying with the requirements of Regulation (EC) 2037/2000(1) insofar as they relate to the removal of CFCs both from the coolant circuits and from the insulating material used in refrigerators, and which have not done so?

What enforcement action is being taken against those Member States which have failed to comply with the terms of the regulation?

Given that allegations have been made by some manufacturers that France (and some other Member States) has not the same problem of fridge mountains as experienced in Britain for the simple reason that it has ignored the requirement to remove CFCs from refrigerator insulating material, can the Commission indicate what procedures have been followed by France since 1 January to ensure compliance with the regulation?

What action to remove CFCs from both coolant circuits and insulating material has been taken since 1 January by Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Finland, Spain and Belgium?

Can the Commission confirm that the requirements of the regulation relate not only to domestic refrigerators but also to both small and large commercial refrigeration equipment?

(1) OJ L 244, 29.9.2000, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2002)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to its reply given to his written question E-0255/02(1) that provided information available to the Commission on the status in individual Member States as regards the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the Parliament and of the Council(2) on substances that deplete the ozone layer(3) which covers the extraction and disposal of ozone-depleting substances in domestic refrigerators and freezers.

The Commission sent a Survey Form to the Member States asking for information on the recovery and destruction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from discarded domestic refrigerators in February 2001 and again in February 2002. Four Member States Greece, France, Ireland and Portugal have still to respond. For eleven other Member States that have replied the situation is as follows: seven Member States (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Austria and Sweden) have comprehensive systems in place for the recovery of controlled substances both from the coolant circuits and from the insulating foam used in domestic refrigerators and freezers. On the basis of the information provided three other Member States (Belgium, Spain and Finland) indicated that recovery systems are partially in place. The United Kingdom has systems in place for the recovery of controlled substances from the coolant circuits in used domestic refrigerators and freezers and is now taking steps to ensure that in the near future there will be facilities available for the recovery of controlled substances from the insulating foam.

Under Article 16(6) of the Regulation, Member States have an obligation to report to the Commission by 31 December 2001 on the systems established to promote the recovery of used controlled substances and this includes those systems related to the recovery of controlled substances from domestic refrigerators and freezers. To date the information on the recovery of controlled substances has been requested by the Commission through a survey.

Given the incomplete results, the Commission is taking the appropriate legal steps to ensure that all Member States comply fully with Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000.

The Commission's view is that recovery of controlled substances in both small and large commercial refrigeration equipment is required under Regulation (EC) No 2037/00.

(1) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 168.

(2) OJ L 244, 24.9.2000.

(3) OJ C 172 E, 18.7.2002, p. 168.