WASHINGTON, DC -- The US Environmental Protection Agency is soliciting comments on the proposed renewal of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements on the production, importation, recycling, destruction and shipment of ozone-depleting substances.

Substances under review include chlorofluorocarbons, halons, and quarantine and preshipment methyl bromide, and comments are due by Jan. 30.

Under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the US is obligated to cease production and import of Class I controlled substances, excluding CFCs that are subject to essential use exemptions, methyl bromide that is subject to critical use exemptions or exemptions for quarantine and preshipment uses, previously used material, and material that will be transformed, destroyed or exported to developing countries. The Protocol also establishes limits and reduction schedules leading to the eventual phaseout of Class II controlled substances with similar exemptions beyond the phaseout.

Under EPA regulations, producers, importers, exporters and distributors of Class I ozone-depleting substances must meet quarterly, annual and/or transactional recordkeeping and reporting requirements.