On February 25, 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of Environment issued two announcements, officially establishing the Regulations on Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) Management and announcing the Prohibited or Restricted Types of HFCs for Manufacture, Import, Export, Sale, Use or Emission. Effective immediately, these measures aim to strengthen the control of greenhouse gases and fulfill the international obligations under the Montreal Protocol.
HFCs are widely used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and fire extinguishing systems. The announcement specifically lists 18 controlled HFCs, including difluoromethane (HFC-32), pentafluoroethane (HFC-125), and trifluoromethane (HFC-23). The manufacture, import, export, sale, use, or emission of these substances will be strictly limited, excluding those already contained within products.
According to the Regulations on Hydrofluorocarbons Management, Taiwan's baseline consumption of HFCs is set at 24,523.8642 metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Starting next year, the consumption of HFCs will be gradually reduced as follows:
- From January 1, 2026, annual consumption must not exceed 100% of the baseline amount;
- From January 1, 2029, annual consumption must not exceed 90% of the baseline amount;
- From January 1, 2035, annual consumption must not exceed 70% of the baseline amount;
- From January 1, 2040, annual consumption must not exceed 50% of the baseline amount;
- From January 1, 2045, annual consumption must not exceed 20% of the baseline amount.
- From the effective date of the measures, the manufacture of HFCs is prohibited. Starting July 1, 2025, HFCs cannot be imported or exported without approval, and trade is only permitted with countries or regions that comply with the Montreal Protocol.
The measures also detail regulations regarding the allocation, import and export permits, use, and recovery of HFCs. Manufacturers must apply for allocation qualifications and quantities within the specified time to the competent authorities and strictly adhere to relevant operational standards. Users of HFCs are not allowed to sell them without authorization, and suppliers must use compliant equipment during repackaging operations.
Furthermore, unauthorized imports of HFCs without approval will face measures such as return, recycle, temporary storage, or destruction, with related costs borne by the violator. Manufacturers submitting false application documents will have their allocation qualifications revoked and will be banned from applying for five years.
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