On the requirements for the use of refrigerants
According to 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, implementation of equipment and technical devices involving the use of ozone-depleting substances, with the exception of hydrofluorocarbons, is prohibited. In this case, 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 clause 8 of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, dated 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 dated June 18, 2017 No. 5-T, the permissible level of GWP of hydrofluorocarbons used has been established.
Thus, according to the second part of clause 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 of no more than 1500 in CO2 equivalent are used.
An exception is made for cascade refrigeration systems using natural refrigerants and medical equipment.
It should be noted that similar restrictions are contained in the Building 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 dated December 16, 2019 No. 69.
In refrigeration systems, according to subparagraph 8.2 of clause 8 of SN 4.02.03-2019, refrigeration units and plants operating on environmentally safe refrigerants with zero ozone depletion potential and a GWP not exceeding 1500 in CO2 equivalent should be used.
Part two of clause 6 of EcoNP 17.01.06-001-2017 came into force on January 1, 2025. Accordingly, technical solutions for the installation of low-temperature equipment, designed in 2025 and subsequent years, should not provide for 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, whose GWP exceeds 1500 in CO2 equivalent.
At the same time, projects involving the installation of low-temperature equipment, developed and approved before January 1, 2025, are implemented in accordance with the design documentation and the technical solutions provided therein.
In case of changes related to an increase in environmental impact in the design documentation for objects of state environmental expertise, these changes are subject to environmental expertise, during which their compliance will be assessed according to 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 clause 1 of the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 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 in CO2 equivalent in 2026 to 0.762 million tons in 2036, which will entail a significant reduction in refrigerants with high GWP available in the country in the coming years.