Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are organic and synthetic (i.e., human-made) chemicals. They contain one, two or three carbon atoms and at least one atom each of hydrogen, chlorine and fluorine. HCFCs have been mainly used to replace more damaging ozone-depleting substances in applications such as foam blowing, refrigeration and air conditioning, solvent cleaning and to a lesser extent, aerosols and fire protection.

However, as HCFCs are also ozone-depleting substances, they became subject to a global phase-out under an international agreement: the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

As a Party to the Montreal Protocol, Canada reduced its consumption and production of HCFCs by 99.5% by 2020 and will phase them out completely by 2030, except for very limited and specific applications. In Canada, HCFCs are subject to the Ozone Depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations.

There is more than one CAS number that applies to this group of substances.

Risk Assessment

• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Risk Management Tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Federal Halocarbon Regulations, 2022
• Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations
• Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans in Respect of Halocarbons Used as a Refrigerant

International engagement

• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

Other Information

• Ozone layer
• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
• Authorizations for ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons
• Environmental Code of Practice for Elimination of Fluorocarbon Emissions from Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems

Contact

Ozone Protection Programs
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-938-4228
Email: halocarbures-halocarbons@ec.gc.ca