On the requirements for the use of refrigerants

In accordance with Article 12 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of November 12, 2001 No. 56-Z "On the Protection of the Ozone Layer", the design, construction of facilities, and implementation of equipment and technical devices involving the use of ozone-depleting substances, with the exception of hydrofluorocarbons, are prohibited. Hydrofluorocarbons may be used only in the absence of other alternatives, and the global warming potential (hereinafter - GWP) of the hydrofluorocarbons used must be the lowest.

In accordance with the said Law, as well as paragraph 8 of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer of September 16, 1987, approved by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus on November 11, 2022 No. 07/214-209/403, and the Environmental Norms and Rules EcoNiP 17.01.06-001-2017 "Environmental Protection and Nature Management. Environmental Safety Requirements", approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus of June 18, 2017 No. 5-T, the permissible GWP of hydrofluorocarbons used has been established.

Thus, according to the second part of paragraph 6 of EcoNiP 17.01.06-001-2017, in technical solutions for the installation of low-temperature equipment, in the absence of alternatives, hydrofluorocarbons with a GWP not exceeding 1500 in CO2 equivalent are used.

Exceptions include cascade refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants and medical equipment.

It should be noted that similar restrictions are contained in the Construction Norms SN 4.02.03-2019 "Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning", approved by the Resolution of the Ministry of Architecture and Construction of the Republic of Belarus of December 16, 2019 No. 69.

In accordance with subparagraph 8.2 of paragraph 8 of SN 4.02.03-2019, refrigeration machines and units operating on environmentally safe refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential and a GWP not exceeding 1500 in CO2 equivalent should be used in refrigeration supply systems.

The second part of paragraph 6 of EcoNiP 17.01.06-001-2017 entered into force on January 1, 2025. Accordingly, technical solutions for the installation of low-temperature equipment designed in 2025 and subsequent years should not involve the use of hydrofluorocarbons such as HFC-23, HFC-125, HFC-143a, HFC-227ea, HFC-236fa, as well as hydrofluorocarbon blends R-404a, R-407c, R-410a, R-507a and others with a GWP exceeding 1500 in CO2 equivalent.

Projects involving the installation of low-temperature equipment, developed and approved before January 1, 2025, shall be implemented in accordance with the design documentation and the technical solutions provided therein.

In case of amendments to the design documentation for facilities subject to state environmental expertise, which are related to an increase in environmental impact, such amendments shall be subject to environmental expertise. During this expertise, its compliance will be assessed based on the requirements of environmental legislation in force at the time of the expertise.

At the same time, we draw attention to the fact that in accordance with subparagraph 1.2 of paragraph 1 of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of May 7, 2023 No. 170 "On Measures to Ensure the Protection of the Ozone Layer and Climate," taking into account the transition to ozone-safe technologies within the framework of the implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, the permissible consumption of hydrofluorocarbons in the Republic of Belarus is reduced from 3.301 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2026 to 0.762 million tons in 2036. This will lead to a significant reduction in the availability of refrigerants with a high GWP in the country in the coming years.