Question: What is the basis for the release of the two announcements?
Answer: Article 6, paragraph 1, of the Regulations on the Administration of Ozone-Depleting Substances stipulates: "The competent department of ecology and environment under the State Council, in accordance with the national plan and the progress of the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments of the State Council, determine and publish the categories of construction projects that restrict or prohibit the construction, reconstruction, or expansion of the production or use of ozone-depleting substances, and formulate and publish a list of restricted or prohibited production, use, import and export of ozone-depleting substances."Accordingly, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment prepared two announcements.
Question: What are the main contents of the two announcements?
Answer: The two announcements mainly clarify three aspects.
First, clarify the effective time.Starting from January 1, 2026, the production of combined polyether and polyurethane products with HCFC-141b as the foaming agent (except for sprayed polyurethane foam products) is prohibited, and the production of household refrigerators and freezer products with HFCs as the refrigerant is prohibited.Starting from July 1, 2026, the production of sprayed polyurethane foam products with HCFC-141b as the foaming agent will be prohibited.
The second is to clarify the scope of control.The sprayed polyurethane foam products applicable to the "Announcement on the Prohibition of the Production of Polyurethane Products with 1,1-dichloro-1-Fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) as the Foaming Agent" refer to polyurethane foam materials with insulation and waterproof functions that have been sprayed on site, and the scope of applicable sprayed polyurethane foam products is listed in the attachment in the form of a product standard list.The applicable household refrigerator and freezer products in the "Announcement on Prohibiting the Production of Household Refrigerators and Freezer Products with Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as Refrigerants" refer to thermal insulation boxes that are composed of one or more chambers and can be controlled at a specified temperature, have a volume and structure suitable for household use, use natural convection or forced convection, and consume one or more energy to obtain cooling capacity as defined in the national standard "Household and Similar Refrigeration Appliances" (GB/T 8059-2016).It includes exported household refrigerators and freezer products, but does not include car refrigerators.
The third is to clarify the requirements for supervision and inspection.Competent ecological and environmental departments at all levels should urge and guide enterprises to conscientiously implement the above regulations, and effectively do a good job in the elimination of HCFC-141b for foaming agent use in the polyurethane product industry and HFCs for refrigerant use in the household refrigerator and freezer industry.For enterprises that violate the above-mentioned regulations, the competent department of ecology and environment shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments, impose penalties in accordance with the law.
Question: How to effectively promote the implementation of the two announcements?
Answer: First, do a good job of publicity and interpretation. Through various forms online and offline, the joint industry association will publicize the background and requirements of the two announcements to enterprises, and clarify the management requirements.The second is to carry out training and guidance, strengthen the training of competent ecological and environmental departments and enterprises at all levels, promote green and low-carbon alternative technologies, and give timely guidance to the existing problems of enterprises.The third is to strengthen supervision and inspection. The competent ecological environment departments at all levels should strengthen supervision and inspection in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, investigate and deal with violations of the two announcements in accordance with the law, and ensure their implementation.