Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Reconsideration of Petition Criteria and Incorporation of Montreal Protocol Decisions

With this action, EPA is revising the accelerated phaseout regulation that governs the production, import, export, transformation and destruction of substances that deplete the ozone layer under the authority of Sections 602, 604, 605, 606, and 614 of Title VI of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAA or the Act). Today's amendments reflect changes in U.S. obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) due to recent amendments and decisions by signatory countries to this international agreement. Additionally, in response to a petition submitted to EPA, the Agency is removing the requirement in the petition process for imports of used class I controlled substances that a person must certify knowledge of tax liability. Other amendments are designed to ease the burden on affected companies while continuing to ensure compliance with Title VI of the CAA and meet U.S. obligations under the Protocol.