The rules have been framed in accordance with the national strategy to phase out ODS. As per the Rules, it is mandatory on the part of producers, sellers, importers and exporters of ODS to get themselves registered with the ministry. Registration is also required for the reclamation and destruction of ODS.

The notification stipulates restriction on ODS production levels as per "base level" and reductions specified. It seeks to ban creation of new capacity or expansion of capacity, and prohibits new investments in this regard.

The notification seeks to restrict the export to and import of ODS-based products from the countries which are signatories to the Montreal Protocol. Now such imports and exports will be allowed under a licence only.

The Rules seek to ban the sale of ODS-based products after the date specified for the phase-out of various products. The products will be labelled "indicating absence of use of ODS" after the phase-out date.

The phase-out date for the manufacture of fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing systems is January 1, 2001. For the manufacture of aerosol products or pressurised dispensers (excluding metered inhalers for medicinal purposes), foam products including the foam part of domestic refrigerators, mobile airconditioners, and other refrigeration and air-conditioning products (excluding compressors) is January 1, 2003.

The phase-out date for the manufacture of metered dose inhalers for medicinal purposes is January 1, 2010. For the use of methyle bromide except preshipment and quarantine, the date is January 1, 2015.

The ministry of environment and forests notification says that the registration for production, selling, etc, will be valid for specified periods, after which they will have to be renewed by the same authority. Further, any person who produces, uses, imports, sells, stocks, reclaims or destroys ODS has to maintain records and file reports as mentioned in the notification.