S'pore agrees to control the use and production of ozone-depleting substances

11 January 2007
ChannelNewsAsia

Singapore has agreed to the amendments made to an international agreement to stop the use of substances that deplete the ozone layer.

The amendments control the production of hydrochloroflurocarbons or HCFCs, found in appliances such as refrigerators, and the production and consumption of bromochloromethane or BCMs, found in items like fire extinguishers.

Both substances deplete the ozone layer.

The changes to the Montreal Protocol came into effect five years ago but Singapore only agreed to the amendments this year.

The first draft of the Protocol came about in 1987 and set out timetables to phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances.

Local industries in Singapore will not be affected by Singapore's accession to the amendments until 2016.

That's when the phasing out of HCFC commences for developing countries, according to the agreement.

While Singapore does not produce any HSFCs, the chemical is traded and consumed in Singapore.

The hole in the ozone layer was discovered in 1985.

Scientists predict the ozone layer will begin to recover in a few years and will be fully restored by the middle of the century, if countries complete the implementation of the Protocol. - CNA/ir