ICARMA Recommends Maintaining HCFC Phaseout Schedule Members of the International Council of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Manufacturers' Associations (ICARMA) recommend that the Montreal Protocol HCFC phaseout schedule for the industrialized nations be maintained as agreed to in Vienna in 1995, with a 2.8% initial odp cap and a final HCFC consumption phaseout in 2030. ICARMA's position is based on the following points: The Montreal Protocol is working Scientific findings reveal that the Earth's ozone layer is recovering. In the ten years since it was first approved, the Montreal Protocol has succeeded in achieving its goal of protecting the ozone layer. Any acceleration of the HCFC phaseout schedule would have minimal impact on chlorine loading in the atmosphere. The 1995 Vienna meeting intensified controls of HCFCs. There have been no significant changes in the HCFC issue that require additional oversight. Implementation of the Protocol by all Parties is the best way to further the goal of ozone layer protection All Parties need to adhere to the phaseout schedules and ozone protection strategies set forth in the Copenhagen Amendments as well as those agreed to at the 1995 meeting in Vienna. Only 35% of the Parties have ratified the Copenhagen Amendments. This figure has remained virtually unchanged over the last two years. The focus of individual Parties should now be on implementing the Protocol's provisions by adopting national policies and regulations which will achieve the goal of limiting emissions into the atmosphere of ozone depleting substances. We all rely on the protection which the ozone layer provides. Thus, all nations share responsibility for helping to preserve the ozone layer. Time is needed for transition from HCFCs to replacements in most applications As a result of expedited studies, the industry now benefits from various HCFC replacement options. However, it could take an additional 10 years to position commercially available refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment that would use HCFC replacements on the market. This is due to the fact that a 10 year period is necessary to develop products with greater energy-efficiency, reliability and safety components. Acceleration of the HCFC phaseout schedule and reduction of the HCFC production cap should not proceed before furthering technical development, commercial availability, and recognizing the economic costs to society. HCFCs are necessary to ensure an orderly and successful phaseout of CFCs A certain phaseout schedule for HCFCs is necessary to ensure that the transition from CFCs continues in a smooth and orderly manner. A more rapid phaseout of HCFCs could actually slow the transition from CFCs in existing equipment, especially in the developing countries, because there would be less incentive to invest in HCFC technologies. This would be undesirable from an environmental standpoint because HCFCs are significantly less ozone depleting than CFCs. The current schedule allows for some growth of HCFC consumption which should speed the transition from CFCs to HCFCs and other alternatives. ICARMA members are ARI, the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute; CRAA, the China Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association; EUROVENT/CECOMAF, the European Committee of Air-Handling and Air-Conditioning Equipment Manufacturers and the European Committee of Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers; HRAI, the Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Institute of Canada, and JRAIA, the Japan Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry Association. The members of these associations produce the overwhelming majority of the world's refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.