2007/139/EC: Commission Decision of 26 February 2007 authorising a temporary exemption from Articles 4(3) and 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council on substances that deplete the ozone layer, as regards the use and placing on the market of HCFC-225cb for the manufacture of fluoropolymers (notified under document number C(2007) 556)

By way of derogation from Articles 4(3) and 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 2037/2000, the United Kingdom is authorised to allow, until 31 December 2010, the use and placing on the market by AGC Chemicals Europe, Ltd. (ASAHI), of HCFC-225cb as a chain transfer agent and co-solvent in the manufacture of Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene resin. The quantity of HCFC-225cb authorised shall not exceed 2.1 ODP-tonnes.

No later than 30 June 2008, the United Kingdom shall report to the Commission as regards the availability and readiness for use of the alternative substance proposed by ASAHI. In the light of this report, the Commission will consider shortening the period referred to in Article 1 for the use and placing on the market of HCFC-225cb. If that alternative substance is used as a substitute for HCFC-225cb before 31 December 2010, the exemption authorised in Article 1 shall cease to apply with effect from the date on which that alternative substance is so used.

The United Kingdom shall ensure that, on expiry of the exemption, ASAHI recovers all HCFC-225cb left over in the process.

This Decision is addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.