The European Union (EU) submitted a proposal to amend the Montreal Protocol to control hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used in refrigeration, air-conditioning, fire protection, aerosols and foams.

The EU move follows similar proposals submitted since 2009 by the USA, Canada, Mexico and Micronesia, and would significantly reduce HFCs in developed countries by following a phase-down schedule closely matching the EU F-Gas Regulation, groundbreaking legislation adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2014.