Halon – FM200 – FE36 – FE13 & Refrigerant Gases, these are all either Halons or Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases and require Licenses/Certificates/Authorizations for Recovery/Transport/Storage and Shipping.
If taking any of the above for Waste or Service Exchange the restrictions apply – To Everyone.
The Law
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states: "The collection and transport of waste, returned or recovered ozone depleting substances (refrigerant gases and halons) is controlled, to ensure environmental protection and compliance with waste law (the same requirements apply also to the collection and transport of waste, returned or recovered fluorinated greenhouse gases)."
A position paper on this subject has been published by the EPA and should be consulted by all operators handling such waste gases.
Requirements
The collection and transport of waste returned or recovered ozone-depleting substances can only be carried out by an entity that meets one of the following requirements:-
- Has made a Prior Annual Notification to the Environmental Protection Agency, and where that Prior Annual Notification has been acknowledged by the Agency or
- Holds a valid Waste Collection Permit for the area(s) in which collections are taking place and for the waste types that cover ozone-depleting substances (relevant EWC codes may include: 140601, and 160504, among others).
The EPA statement adds, "Waste returned or recovered refrigerant gases, halons, and fluorinated greenhouse gases must be brought to an authorized facility i.e. a facility that has either a license from the Environmental Protection Agency or a Waste Facility Permit or Certificate of Registration from the relevant local authority."
Prosecutions
EPA encourages individuals and businesses to integrate good environmental practices
Prosecution is an important part of environmental law enforcement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) encourages individuals and businesses to integrate good environmental practices into normal working methods and seeks to prevent environmental pollution before it has a chance to occur.
Where pollution does occur the EPA aims to seek redress for environmental pollution and avoid a recurrence. Where the circumstances warrant it, immediate prosecution will be pursued.
Cradle-to-grave solution
In order to provide a complete solution a company must have achieved a range of licenses and Certificates from the Government, Local Government, and EU Monitoring/Controlling Bodies.
Having foreseen the impending controls and restrictions, KSS has taken the necessary measures to ensure that we can offer a fully compliant service for the collection and transport of waste, returned or recovered ozone-depleting substances (refrigerant gases and halons) that are controlled, to ensure environmental protection and compliance with waste law.
Over the past 2 years, KSS has contracted relevant consultants and invested heavily to achieve a cradle-to-grave service.
