Ozone and Non-Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations, 2024.

These Regulations, comprising 19 sections, establish that (i) the importation, exportation, manufacturing, supply, distribution, or sale of any controlled substance or related product listed in Schedule I - including Ozone-Depleting Substances and Non-Ozone-Depleting Substances regulated under the Montreal Protocol - is strictly prohibited without a valid license or permit. Any person who engages in these activities without authorization commits an offense punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. To operate a business involving controlled substances or their products, a person must apply in writing to the Director of the Department responsible for the environment. Under Section 8, the Director must maintain a 5-year register of all license applications, decisions, and substance records, while licensees are required to submit biannual activity reports. Concerning the disposal of controlled substances or products, licensees and permit holders must recover them prior to dismantling, use approved scientific methods for disposal, destruction, and reclamation, and transfer materials to authorized suppliers, purchasers, or storage facilities. Recovered substances must be stored in containers marked “recover” with supplier details and safety warnings; household products are exempt, except for discarded vehicle air conditioning systems. The regulations also provide for storage, transportation, and handling of the mentioned substances and products. Additionally, all entities handling controlled substances must clearly label them with specified chemical, commercial, and supplier details. Unlabeled or tampered substances will be confiscated by an environmental inspector and either destroyed or returned to the retailer at the offender's expense.