Other Regulatory Information
Methyl bromide is a powerful ozone-depleting substance. At theinternational level, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances thatDeplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) established a freeze in the level ofmethyl bromide production and consumption for industrialized countries at the1992 Meeting in Copenhagen. As a result, in the U.S., the production andimport of methyl bromide decreased gradually starting in 1999 and thephaseout took effect on January 1, 2005, except for allowable exemptionprograms for critical uses and quarantine and preshipment uses.
Aggregate Methyl Bromide Inventory Data
Aggregate methyl bromide inventory data for the 2007 calendar yearcontinues to show a steady decline. The existence of the inventory provides asafety net for the transition to ozone-safe alternatives, and this datacontinues to demonstrate that the inventory held by U.S. companies is beingmanaged appropriately. For more information, please see the
U.S. National Management Strategy
U.S. National Management Strategy(PDF) (56 pp, 319K). The Department of State submitted a NationalManagement Strategy to the Ozone Secretariat on December 1, 2005, for eachsector that has requested a critical use exemption.
Methyl Bromide Revised Phaseout Schedule
- Direct Final Rule (November 28, 2000; 65 FR 70795)
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- Proposed Rule (November 28, 2000; 65 FR 70825)
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- Final Rule (December 20, 1994; 59 FR 65478)
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- Proposed Rule (October 14, 1994; 59 FR 52126)
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Methyl Bromide & HBFC Production & Consumption Allowances
These rules established the original baseline production and consumptionallowances for the phaseout of methyl bromide.
- Final Rule (December 30, 1993; 58 FR 69235)
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- Proposed Rule (November 9, 1993; 58 FR 59630)
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Incorporation of Montreal Protocol Adjustments
These rules revised the accelerated phaseout of the regulations thatgovern the production, import, transformation, and destruction ofozone-depleting substances, including methyl bromide.
- 25% Final Rule (June 1, 1999; 64 FR 29240)
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- 25% Proposed Rule (February 25, 1999; 64 FR 9290)
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Continued Production of Methyl Bromide for Export to Developing Countries
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer providesa different phaseout schedule for developing countries (countries thatoperate under Article V of the Protocol) that culminates in a completephaseout starting on January 1, 2015. Currently, developing countries are ona gradual phase-down schedule. However, until the phaseout for developingcountries begins, existing production facilities in industrialized countriescan supply methyl bromide to developing countries, thereby decreasingincentives for construction of new plants in those countries. The Protocolallows industrialized countries to produce limited, additional methyl bromideexplicitly for export to developing countries during and after the phaseoutin the industrialized countries.
- Proposed Rule Adjusting Allowances for Class I Substances for Export to Article 5 Countries (August 23, 2006; 71 FR 49395)
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- PDF Format (5pp, 124K)
- Fact Sheet
- Proposed Rule Adjusting Allowances for Class I Substances for Export to Article 5 Countries (September 21, 2005; 70 FR 55480)
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- PDF Format (11pp, 145K)
- Final Rule Adjusting Allowances for Class I Substances for Export to Article 5 Countries (December 29, 2005; 70 FR 77042)
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- PDF Format (7pp, 142K)
- Fact Sheet on Final Rule
These actions established production allowances for export to developingcountries before January 1, 2005.
- Direct Final Rule (April 29, 2002; 67 FR 21129)
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- PDF Format (6pp; 110K)
- Concurrent Proposed Rule (April 29, 2002; 67 FR 21135)
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