The Government of India has taken several initiatives and measures to phase out ODS. Some major actions and achievements of the Government, during 1993-1997, are given below:
Regulatory measures
Trade in ODS with Non-Parties was banned. Disposal of old equipment in an ozone-friendly way was mandated in legal agreements that were to be signed for the implementation of approved projects. Annexe A and B substances were brought under the ambit of licensing for purposes of imports and exports. Exports of these substances to non-Article 5 countries was banned. All exports of CFCs to Article 5 countries were to have the label "New produced CFCs". Comprehensive regulations on ODS phase-out are under development. The first round of discussions has taken place with Ministry of Law, industry, NGOs, etc. The first round of consultations with other government departments are ongoing.
Fiscal measures
The government decided in January 1995 to fully exempt from payment of customs and excise duties all capital goods required to implement ODS phase-out projects funded by the Multilateral Fund (MLF). This benefit was later extended for all MLF-eligible projects and items of recurring use, whether or not MLF assistance was requested/available at the time of implementation of the ODS phase-out project. Indian financial institutions decided in April 1995 to stop financing/refinancing new ODS producing and/or consuming enterprises. The Government of India has exempted companies making new investments in non-ODS technologies from paying customs and excise duties with effect from March 01, 1997.
Status of ODS phase-out projects under the Multilateral Standards for issuing Eco-mark
The governments has formulated a scheme on labelling of environment-friendly products called Eco-mark. Final notifications under this scheme for aerosol products, television sets and refrigerators have been issued. Aerosol products will not be eligible for Eco-mark label if any ODS has been used as propellant. Similarly, ODS should not have been used as blowing agent and as refrigerant in the manufacture of refrigerators. Also, CFCs and other aromatic halogenated hydrocarbons should not have been used for cleaning purposes during the manufacture of television sets.
Data on the production, import and export of Halon-1211 and Halon 1301
(Annexe A substances)
The average of production plus import minus export for 1995, 1996 and 1997 is going to decide the base-level consumption. Data for the year 1995 is given below.
Jan-Dec Halon Halon Total 1995 1211 1301 Total Production 77.0 1 78 New Imports 15.6 5 20.6 New Exports 32.0 32 (Source: Government of India, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Ozone Cell, March 1997)
Progress in implementation of country programme in 1996
Background Information Country: India Date country programme was approved : November 1993. National focal point for country programme implementation : Ozone Cell of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Lead implementing agency for country programme preparation : UNDP. Planned date of complete phase-out of ODS : Annex A - 2010 and Annex B - 2010. Total consumption of ODS at the time of approval of country programme : 13,111 ODP tonnes in 1991. Funds approved to date for activities in the country programme : US$30.4 million for 106 activities. Funds disbursed to enterprises/institutions in the country to date : US$12,601,864.
Phase-out activities
Major ODS consuming sectors as per the country programme (1991 data in ODP tonnes):
a) RAC 1,990
b) Foams 1,576
c) Solvent 4,795
d) Aerosols 1,100
e) Fire extinguishing 3,650
Total 13,111
Number of activities in the country programme for which funds are required and budgeted in the country programme : US$1,964 million for all sectors.
Number of activities developed and submitted to the Executive Committee for approval and funding (including deferred and/or unapproved project): 26.
Number of activities for which funds have been approved : 38 (including 12 activities submitted in 1995).
Number of activities for which funds have been received in the country: 38.
Number of activities currently under preparation : about 52.
The date the ozone protection unit became operational : June 22, 1993 (the date of signing of document of implementation of Institutional Strengthening Project).
Expected date of review of country programme : regulations are under development.
Status of ODS phase-out projects under the Multilateral Fund
Number Amount Project impact
approved (US$) disbursed (US$) (ODP tonnes)
Approvals 106 30,396,249 2,949
Completed 17 4,932,515 4,448,572 735
Ongoing 89 25,463,734 8,153,292 2,214
The 22nd ExCom of the Multilateral Fund held in Nairobi from May 28 to 30, 1997 decided to approve the following investment project proposal from India for the amounts indicated (Decision 22/37).
(UNDP: United Nations Development Programme; IBRD: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development)
Sectors Project Title Agency Funds Approved (US$) Cost
Effectiveness
(US$/Kg)
Project Support Total
Aerosol
Filling plant
My Fair Lady aerosol conversion, Delhi IBRD 113,975 14,817 128,792 1.91
Aerol Formulations aerosol conversion UNDP 069,450 09,029 078,479 2.24
Texas Enterprises aerosolconversion, Bombay UNDP 070,000 09,100 079,100 2.24
Ultra Tech Specialty Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. aerosol
conversion UNDP 070,000 09,100 079,100 2.27
Accra Pack India Pvt. Ltd. aerosol conversion IBRD 129,690 16,860 146,550 2.49
Stella Industries aerosol conversion IBRD 269,175 34,993 304,168 2.56
Aeropres aerosol conversion, Vapi IBRD 146,860 19,092 165,952 2.94
Aero Pack Products aerosol conversion UNDP 069,450 09,029 078,479 3.40
Asian Aerosols Pvt. Ltd. aerosol conversion UNDP 090,890 11,816 102,706 3.63
Aerosols D'Asia Pvt. Ltd. aerosol conversion UNDP 069,450 09,029 078,479 3.86
Attarwala & Co. Pvt. Ltd. aerosol conversion, Bombay IBRD 134,250 17,453 151,703 4.37
Aero Industries aerosol conversion, Vapi IBRD 121,735 15,826 137,561 4.39
Meenakshi aerosol and cosmetics conversion, Delhi UNDP 98,940 12,862 111,802 4.40
Foam
Rigid
Elimination of CFCs in the UNDP 385,000 50,050 435,050
manufacture of rigid polyurethane
foam chemical systems at
Polymeramann (Asia) Pvt. Ltd.
Elimination of CFCs in the UNDP 1,404,000 182,520 1,586,520 4.84
manufacture of rigid polyurethane
foam in small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs)
Elimination of CFCs in the UNDP 284,000 36,920 320,920 7.26
manufacture of rigid PU foam
insulation at Super Urethane
Products Pvt. Ltd.
Elimination of CFCs in the UNDP 132,000 17,160 149,160 7.51
manufacture of rigid PU foam
insulation at Blowkings
Elimination of CFCs in the UNDP 085,000 11,050 096,050 7.64
manufacture of rigid PU foam
insulation at Delta Foams Engineering Co.
This article is excerpted from VATIS update, May-June 1997 Vol. 4 No. 22, published by the Asia Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology for the ozone Cell, MoEF