Other Regulatory Information

Methyl bromide is a powerful ozone-depleting substance. At the international level, the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Protocol) established a freeze in the level of methyl bromide production and consumption for industrialized countries at the1992 Meeting in Copenhagen. As a result, in the U.S., the production and import of methyl bromide decreased gradually starting in 1999 and the phaseout took effect on January 1, 2005, except for allowable exemption programs for critical uses and quarantine and preshipment uses.

Aggregate Methyl Bromide Inventory Data

Graph showing decline in methyl bromide pre-phaseout inventory data: 2003 total was 16,422 MT, 2004 total was 12,994 MT, 2005 total was 9,974 MT, 2006 total was 7,671 MT, 2007 total was 6,458 MT, and 2008 total was 4,271 MT

Aggregate methyl bromide inventory data for the 2008 calendar year continues to show a steady decline. The existence of the inventory provides a safety net for the transition to ozone-safe alternatives, and this data continues to demonstrate that the inventory held by U.S. companies is being managed appropriately.

U.S. National Management Strategy

U.S. National Management Strategy (PDF) (56 pp, 319K). The Department of State submitted a National Management Strategy to the Ozone Secretariat on December 1, 2005, for each sector that has requested a critical use exemption.

Methyl Bromide Revised Phaseout Schedule

Direct Final Rule (November 28, 2000; 65 FR 70795): HTML Format
Proposed Rule (November 28, 2000; 65 FR 70825): HTML Format
Final Rule (December 20, 1994; 59 FR 65478): HTML Format
Proposed Rule (October 14, 1994; 59 FR 52126): HTML Format

Methyl Bromide & HBFC Production & Consumption Allowances

These rules established the original baseline production and consumption allowances for the phaseout of methyl bromide.

Final Rule (December 30, 1993; 58 FR 69235): HTML Format
Proposed Rule (November 9, 1993; 58 FR 59630): HTML Format not available

Incorporation of Montreal Protocol Adjustments

These rules revised the accelerated phaseout of the regulations that govern the production, import, transformation, and destruction of ozone-depleting substances, including methyl bromide.

25% Final Rule (June 1, 1999; 64 FR 29240): HTML Format
25% Proposed Rule (February 25, 1999; 64 FR 9290): HTML Format

Continued Production of Methyl Bromide for Export to Developing Countries

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer provides a different phaseout schedule for developing countries (countries that operate under Article V of the Protocol) that culminates in a complete phaseout starting on January 1, 2015. Currently, developing countries are on a gradual phase-down schedule. However, until the phaseout for developing countries begins, existing production facilities in industrialized countries can supply methyl bromide to developing countries, thereby decreasing incentives for construction of new plants in those countries. The Protocol allows industrialized countries to produce limited, additional methyl bromide explicitly for export to developing countries during and after the phaseout in the industrialized countries.

Proposed Rule Adjusting Allowances for Class I Substances for Export to Article 5 Countries (August 23, 2006; 71 FR 49395): HTML Format; 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): HTML Format; PDF Format (11pp, 145K)
Final Rule Adjusting Allowances for Class I Substances for Export to Article 5 Countries (December 29, 2005; 70 FR 77042): HTML Format; PDF Format (7pp, 142K); Fact Sheet on Final Rule

These actions established production allowances for export to developing countries before January 1, 2005.

Direct Final Rule (April 29, 2002; 67 FR 21129): HTML Format; PDF Format (6pp; 110K)
Concurrent Proposed Rule (April 29, 2002; 67 FR 21135): HTML Format