Regulations on disposal of chlorofluorocarbon substitutes that cause global warming will be tightened, government sources said Tuesday.
The Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are targeting such substances as hydrofluorocarbon, perfluorocarbon and sulfur hexafluoride, used mainly as coolants in appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators.
The ministries want to compile a draft amendment to the Fluorocarbons Recovery and Destruction Law by the end of March and to seek a revision in fiscal 2005, the sources said.
The revision would require businesses to submit declarations when disposing of such appliances to ensure CFC substitutes are passed on to the companies responsible for collecting and destroying them.
The ministries are also considering imposing heavier penalties for failure to follow the proper measures.
Less than 40 percent of CFC substitutes used in the appliances in offices, restaurants and commercial facilities have been properly disposed of -- because there is no established control system under the current law.
CFC substitutes were developed to replace ozone-destroying CFCs, but the substitutes have also been found to contribute to global warming.
Emissions of these substances are expected to triple by the end of the decade from their 2003 levels, the Environment Ministry has said.