On 16 September, the world marks the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. In 2026, the official theme is “Global action for a cooler planet”, highlighting ten years of sustainable cooling under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
The theme draws attention not only to the progress achieved in protecting the ozone layer, but also to the need to transition towards more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions. For businesses, this has clear practical implications – from selecting and operating refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment to managing applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.
 
Why does ozone layer protection remain relevant?
The ozone layer in the stratosphere plays a vital role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing a large proportion of the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
The main international instrument for its protection is the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, adopted in 1987. The Protocol controls the production and consumption of nearly 100 chemicals that can damage the ozone layer and establishes schedules for their gradual reduction and phase-out.
The progress achieved does not mean that the management of ozone-depleting substances is no longer necessary. Some of these substances remain present in existing equipment and systems, which is why requirements related to emission prevention, servicing controls and proper end-of-life management continue to be relevant.

10 years since the Kigali Amendment – from ozone layer protection to sustainable cooling
In 2026, ten years have passed since the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. It was adopted on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, and introduced the phasedown of the production and consumption of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
An important distinction should be made here: HFCs are not ozone-depleting substances, but many of them are powerful greenhouse gases. Their gradual phasedown therefore extends the impact of the Montreal Protocol to efforts aimed at mitigating climate change.
The Kigali Amendment also supports the transition towards more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions. According to the United Nations, its full implementation has the potential to avoid up to 0.5°C of global warming by the end of the century, with even greater benefits possible when the phasedown of HFCs is combined with improvements in the energy efficiency of cooling systems.
For organisations, this transition has direct practical implications. When purchasing new equipment, replacing existing systems or planning investments in cooling and air conditioning, it is becoming increasingly important to assess not only technical performance and cost, but also the refrigerants used, their environmental impact, energy efficiency and applicable regulatory restrictions.

Which substances deplete the ozone layer?
Substances that deplete the ozone layer, commonly referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS), include various groups of chemical compounds, such as:

• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs);
• halons;
• carbon tetrachloride;
• 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform);
• hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs);
• hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs);
• methyl bromide.

These and other ozone-depleting substances have been used in a variety of applications, including as refrigerants, fire-extinguishing agents, solvents and foam-blowing agents.
For organisations, it is important to determine not only whether such substances are used directly, but also whether they are contained in equipment or systems owned or operated by the organisation.

What are the European requirements for ozone-depleting substances?
The main European Union legislative act in this area is Regulation (EU) 2024/590 on substances that deplete the ozone layer.
The Regulation lays down rules concerning the production, import, export, placing on the market, storage, subsequent supply and use of ozone-depleting substances. It also regulates their recovery, recycling, reclamation and destruction, as well as certain requirements for products and equipment that contain such substances or whose functioning relies upon them.
As a general principle, the production, placing on the market and use of ozone-depleting substances are prohibited, with the Regulation providing for specific exemptions and conditions for certain uses.

Prevention of emissions and leak checks
Regulation (EU) 2024/590 prohibits the intentional release of ozone-depleting substances into the atmosphere where such release is not technically necessary for an authorised use. Undertakings must take the necessary precautions to prevent and minimise unintentional releases.
Periodic leak checks are required for certain stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, heat pumps and fire protection systems containing ozone-depleting substances listed in Annex I to the Regulation. The frequency depends on the quantity of the substance contained:

• for quantities of 3 kg or more but less than 30 kg – at least once every 12 months;
• for quantities of 30 kg or more but less than 300 kg – at least once every 6 months;
• for quantities of 300 kg or more – at least once every 3 months.

An exemption is provided for certain hermetically sealed equipment.
Where a leak is detected, the operator must ensure that it is repaired without undue delay.

Documentation and traceability
The management of controlled substances also requires appropriate traceability.
For the relevant equipment, operators must maintain applicable records concerning the quantity and type of halons added and ozone-depleting substances listed in Annex I that are recovered during maintenance, servicing or final decommissioning. The records also include other relevant information, such as the undertaking that carried out leak checks, maintenance or servicing, as well as the dates and results of the checks performed.
This means that the management of ozone-depleting substances is not only a technical issue, but also an organisational one. Responsibilities, applicable inspections, required records and the control of external service providers should be clearly defined.

Ozone-depleting substances and F-gases – what is the difference?
Ozone-depleting substances should not be confused with fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases).
Within the European Union, the two groups are subject to separate, although related, regulatory regimes:

• Regulation (EU) 2024/590 governs substances that deplete the ozone layer;
• Regulation (EU) 2024/573 governs fluorinated greenhouse gases.

Some HFCs used as alternatives to older ozone-depleting refrigerants do not damage the ozone layer, but they may have a significant impact on the climate.
This issue is at the heart of the Kigali Amendment and the modern approach to sustainable cooling: ozone layer protection should be combined with reducing the climate impact of the alternatives being used.
For an organisation, correctly identifying the substance contained in specific equipment is essential, because this determines which regulatory regime applies and which obligations must be met.

What is the role of ISO 14001:2026?
In April 2026, the new edition ISO 14001:2026 Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use was published, replacing ISO 14001:2015.
The new edition retains the established framework for the systematic management of environmental responsibilities while strengthening the connection with current environmental priorities, including climate change, biodiversity and the efficient use of resources.
The topics of ozone-depleting substances, HFCs and sustainable cooling can be integrated into an environmental management system through several key areas.

Identification of environmental aspects
The organisation should identify the environmental aspects associated with its activities, products and services.
Where refrigerants or other substances are used whose release may have an adverse environmental impact, this should be taken into account when identifying and evaluating environmental aspects.
The assessment may need to consider not only potential emissions during normal operation, but also leaks, emergency situations, servicing activities, equipment replacement and end-of-life treatment.

Determination of compliance obligations
An environmental management system requires the organisation to determine the compliance obligations applicable to it.
In this context, it is necessary to establish, for example:

• whether the equipment used contains ozone-depleting substances;
• whether it contains fluorinated greenhouse gases;
• which European and national regulatory requirements apply;
• whether periodic inspection obligations exist;
• which requirements apply to servicing, repair and decommissioning;
• which records and documents must be maintained.

In this way, regulatory obligations are translated into specific elements of the management system.

Operational control
Once the environmental aspects and applicable requirements have been identified, the organisation should implement the necessary operational measures.
Depending on the nature of the activity, these may include:

• a register of equipment and the substances contained in it;
• information on the type and quantity of refrigerants used;
• designation of responsible persons;
• planning and monitoring of required inspections and technical maintenance;
• control of external service providers;
• control of applicable qualification requirements;
• documentation of activities performed;
• rules for the repair, replacement and decommissioning of equipment;
• actions in the event of leaks or emergency situations.

Evaluation of compliance
Identifying regulatory requirements is not sufficient on its own. An ISO 14001 environmental management system requires the organisation to periodically evaluate whether applicable compliance obligations are being fulfilled.
For equipment containing controlled substances, this may include checking whether required inspections and servicing activities have been carried out, whether the necessary records are maintained and whether identified nonconformities or leaks have been addressed in a timely manner.

Sustainable cooling as part of environmental management
The 2026 theme of the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer places additional emphasis on the fact that environmental management should not be limited to meeting minimum regulatory requirements.
When investing in new air-conditioning, refrigeration or heat pump systems, organisations may consider several factors at the same time:

• the type and climate impact of the refrigerant;
• applicable and future regulatory restrictions;
• the energy efficiency of the equipment;
• opportunities to prevent leaks;
• maintenance requirements and service life;
• end-of-life treatment.

Such an approach is consistent with the logic of ISO 14001 – environmental considerations should be integrated into management and operational decisions rather than treated solely as a subsequent compliance requirement.
 
What should an organisation review?
For organisations operating refrigeration and air-conditioning installations, heat pumps, fire protection systems or other equipment containing controlled substances, a systematic review of several key questions can provide a useful starting point.
What equipment is being used?
The organisation should identify the installations and systems in which refrigerants or other controlled substances are used.
Which substances are contained in the equipment, and in what quantities?
The organisation should have reliable information on the type and quantity of the substance.
Which regulatory regime applies?
It should be established whether the specific substance and equipment fall within the scope of the rules on ozone-depleting substances, F-gases or other applicable requirements.
Are the applicable inspection and servicing requirements being met?
Where periodic inspections, technical servicing or specific qualification requirements apply to the persons performing certain activities, compliance should be traceable.
Are the required records being maintained?
Documents relating to inspections, repairs, servicing, quantities of substances and decommissioning should be managed in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements.
Are these issues reflected in the ISO 14001 system?
Applicable compliance obligations and environmental aspects should be linked to specific responsibilities, operational controls, monitoring and evaluation of compliance.
 
From ozone layer protection to a more sustainable future
Ten years after the adoption of the Kigali Amendment, the evolution of the Montreal Protocol demonstrates how international action addressing a specific environmental problem can also support the broader transition towards technologies with a lower climate impact.
For businesses, this transition is reflected in concrete decisions – which equipment to purchase, which substances to use, how to prevent emissions, how to fulfil regulatory obligations and how to integrate environmental considerations into investment and operational management.
ISO 14001:2026 provides a systematic framework for this process – from identifying environmental aspects and compliance obligations to operational control, evaluation of compliance and the continual improvement of environmental performance.