---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 7671c"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "7671c"
heading: "Phase-out of production and consumption of class I substances"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/7671c"
units:
  - "Chapter 85 — Air Pollution Prevention and Control"
  - "Subchapter VI — Stratospheric Ozone Protection"
---

# §7671c. Phase-out of production and consumption of class I substances

- (a) **Production phase-out—** Effective on January 1 of each year specified in Table 2, it shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) any [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in an annual quantity greater than the relevant percentage specified in Table 2. The percentages in Table 2 refer to a maximum allowable [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) as a percentage of the quantity of the substance [produced](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) by the [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) concerned in the [baseline year](/usc/42/7671.md?p=2).

  | Table 2 |  |  |  |
  | --- | --- | --- | --- |
  | Date | Carbon tetrachloride | Methyl chloroform | Other [class I substances](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) |
  | 1991 | 100% | 100% | 85% |
  | 1992 | 90% | 100% | 80% |
  | 1993 | 80% | 90% | 75% |
  | 1994 | 70% | 85% | 65% |
  | 1995 | 15% | 70% | 50% |
  | 1996 | 15% | 50% | 40% |
  | 1997 | 15% | 50% | 15% |
  | 1998 | 15% | 50% | 15% |
  | 1999 | 15% | 50% | 15% |
  | 2000 |  | 20% |  |
  | 2001 |  | 20% |  |

- (b) **Termination of production of class I substances—** Effective January 1, 2000 (January 1, 2002 in the case of methyl chloroform), it shall be unlawful for any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) any amount of a [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3).
- (c) **Regulations regarding production and consumption of class I substances—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate regulations within 10 months after November 15, 1990, phasing out the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of [class I substances](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in accordance with this section and other applicable provisions of this subchapter. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall also promulgate regulations to insure that the [consumption](/usc/42/7671.md?p=6) of [class I substances](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in the United States is phased out and terminated in accordance with the same schedule (subject to the same exceptions and other provisions) as is applicable to the phase-out and termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of [class I substances](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) under this subchapter.
- (d) **Exceptions for essential uses of methyl chloroform, medical devices, and aviation safety—**
  - (1) **Essential uses of methyl chloroform—** Notwithstanding the termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) required by [subsection (b)](#b), during the period beginning on January 1, 2002, and ending on January 1, 2005, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, may, to the extent such action is consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of methyl chloroform solely for use in essential applications (such as nondestructive testing for metal fatigue and corrosion of existing airplane engines and airplane parts susceptible to metal fatigue) for which no safe and effective substitute is available. Notwithstanding this paragraph, the authority to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) methyl chloroform for use in [medical devices](/usc/42/7671.md?p=8) shall be provided in accordance with [paragraph (2)](#d-2).
  - (2) **Medical devices—** Notwithstanding the termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) required by [subsection (b)](#b), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, shall, to the extent such action is consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of [class I substances](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) solely for use in [medical devices](/usc/42/7671.md?p=8) if such authorization is determined by the [Commissioner](/usc/42/7671.md?p=5), in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), to be necessary for use in [medical devices](/usc/42/7671.md?p=8).
  - (3) **Aviation safety—**
    - (A) Notwithstanding the termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) required by [subsection (b)](#b), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, may, to the extent such action is consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of halon-1211 (bromo­chlorodifluoromethane), halon-1301 (bromo­trifluoromethane), and halon-2402 (dibro­mo­tetrafluoroethane) solely for purposes of aviation safety if the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), determines that no safe and effective substitute has been developed and that such authorization is necessary for aviation safety purposes.
    - (B) The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) of the Federal Aviation Administration shall, in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), examine whether safe and effective substitutes for methyl chloroform or alternative techniques will be available for nondestructive testing for metal fatigue and corrosion of existing airplane engines and airplane parts susceptible to metal fatigue and whether an exception for such uses of methyl chloroform under this paragraph will be necessary for purposes of airline safety after January 1, 2005 and provide a report to Congress in 1998.
  - (4) **Cap on certain exceptions—** Under no circumstances may the authority set forth in paragraphs [(1)](#d-1), [(2)](#d-2), and [(3)](#d-3) of subsection (d) be applied to authorize any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) a [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in annual quantities greater than 10 percent of that [produced](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) by such [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) during the [baseline year](/usc/42/7671.md?p=2).
  - (5) **Sanitation and food protection—** To the extent consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9)’s quarantine and preshipment provisions, the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall exempt the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11), importation, and [consumption](/usc/42/7671.md?p=6) of methyl bromide to fumigate commodities entering or leaving the United States or any [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d) (or political subdivision thereof) for purposes of compliance with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service requirements or with any international, Federal, [State](/usc/42/7602.md?p=d), or local sanitation or food protection standard.
  - (6) **Critical uses—** To the extent consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and the opportunity for public comment, and after consultation with other departments or instrumentalities of the Federal Government having regulatory authority related to methyl bromide, including the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Agriculture, may exempt the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11), importation, and [consumption](/usc/42/7671.md?p=6) of methyl bromide for critical uses.
- (e) **Developing countries—**
  - (1) **Exception—** Notwithstanding the phase-out and termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) required under subsections [(a)](#a) and [(b)](#b), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, may, consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of a [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in excess of the amounts otherwise allowable under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b), or both, solely for export to, and use in, developing countries that are Parties to the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9) and are operating under article 5 of such Protocol. Any [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) authorized under this paragraph shall be solely for purposes of satisfying the basic domestic needs of such countries.
  - (2) **Cap on exception—**
    - (A) Under no circumstances may the authority set forth in [paragraph (1)](#e-1) be applied to authorize any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) a [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in any year for which a [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) percentage is specified in Table 2 of [subsection (a)](#a) in an annual quantity greater than the specified percentage, plus an amount equal to 10 percent of the amount [produced](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) by such [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) in the [baseline year](/usc/42/7671.md?p=2).
    - (B) Under no circumstances may the authority set forth in [paragraph (1)](#e-1) be applied to authorize any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) a [class I substance](/usc/42/7671.md?p=3) in the applicable termination year referred to in [subsection (b)](#b), or in any year thereafter, in an annual quantity greater than 15 percent of the baseline quantity of such substance [produced](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) by such [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e).
    - (C) An exception authorized under this subsection shall terminate no later than January 1, 2010 (2012 in the case of methyl chloroform).
  - (3) **Methyl bromide—** Notwithstanding the phaseout and termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of methyl bromide pursuant to [subsection (h)](#h), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) may, consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of methyl bromide, solely for use in developing countries that are Parties to the Copenhagen Amendments to the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9).
- (f) **National security—** The President may, to the extent such action is consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), issue such orders regarding [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) and use of CFC–114 (chlorofluorocarbon-114), halon-1211, halon-1301, and halon-2402, at any specified site or facility or on any vessel as may be necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States if the President finds that adequate substitutes are not available and that the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) and use of such substance are necessary to protect such national security interest. Such orders may include, where necessary to protect such interests, an exemption from any prohibition or requirement contained in this subchapter. The President shall notify the Congress within 30 days of the issuance of an order under this paragraph providing for any such exemption. Such notification shall include a statement of the reasons for the granting of the exemption. An exemption under this paragraph shall be for a specified period which may not exceed one year. Additional exemptions may be granted, each upon the President’s issuance of a new order under this paragraph. Each such additional exemption shall be for a specified period which may not exceed one year. No exemption shall be granted under this paragraph due to lack of appropriation unless the President shall have specifically requested such appropriation as a part of the budgetary process and the Congress shall have failed to make available such requested appropriation.
- (g) **Fire suppression and explosion prevention—**
  - (1) Notwithstanding the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) phase-out set forth in [subsection (a)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, may, to the extent such action is consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of halon-1211, halon-1301, and halon-2402 in excess of the amount otherwise permitted pursuant to the schedule under [subsection (a)](#a) solely for purposes of fire suppression or explosion prevention if the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) of the United States Fire Administration, determines that no safe and effective substitute has been developed and that such authorization is necessary for fire suppression or explosion prevention purposes. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall not authorize [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) under this paragraph for purposes of fire safety or explosion prevention training or testing of fire suppression or explosion prevention equipment. In no event shall the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) grant an exception under this paragraph that permits [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) after December 31, 1999.
  - (2) The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall periodically monitor and assess the status of efforts to obtain substitutes for the substances referred to in [paragraph (1)](#g-1) for purposes of fire suppression or explosion prevention and the probability of such substitutes being available by December 31, 1999. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), as part of such assessment, shall consider any relevant assessments under the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9) and the actions of the Parties pursuant to Article 2B of the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9) in identifying essential uses and in permitting a level of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) or [consumption](/usc/42/7671.md?p=6) that is necessary to satisfy such uses for which no adequate alternatives are available after December 31, 1999. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall report to Congress the results of such assessment in 1994 and again in 1998.
  - (3) Notwithstanding the termination of [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) set forth in [subsection (b)](#b), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), after notice and opportunity for public comment, may, to the extent consistent with the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9), authorize the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of limited quantities of halon-1211, halon-1301, and halon-2402 in the period after December 31, 1999, and before December 31, 2004, solely for purposes of fire suppression or explosion prevention in association with domestic [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of crude oil and natural gas energy supplies on the North Slope of Alaska, if the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a), in consultation with the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) of the United States Fire Administration, determines that no safe and effective substitute has been developed and that such authorization is necessary for fire suppression and explosion prevention purposes. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall not authorize [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) under the paragraph for purposes of fire safety or explosion prevention training or testing of fire suppression or explosion prevention equipment. In no event shall the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) authorize under this paragraph any [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) to [produce](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) any such halon in an amount greater than 3 percent of that [produced](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) by such [person](/usc/42/7602.md?p=e) during the [baseline year](/usc/42/7671.md?p=2).
- (h) **Methyl bromide—** Notwithstanding subsections [(b)](#b) and [(d)](#d), the [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall not terminate [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11) of methyl bromide prior to January 1, 2005. The [Administrator](/usc/42/7602.md?p=a) shall promulgate rules for reductions in, and terminate the [production](/usc/42/7671.md?p=11), importation, and [consumption](/usc/42/7671.md?p=6) of, methyl bromide under a schedule that is in accordance with, but not more stringent than, the phaseout schedule of the [Montreal Protocol](/usc/42/7671.md?p=9) Treaty as in effect on October 21, 1998.

## Source credit

(July 14, 1955, ch. 360, title VI, § 604, as added Pub. L. 101–549, title VI, § 602(a), Nov. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 2655; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(a) [title VII, § 764], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681, 2681–36.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1998—Subsec. (d)(5), (6). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(a) [title VII, § 764(b)], added pars. (5) and (6).

Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(a) [title VII, § 764(c)], added par. (3).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(a) [title VII, § 764(a)], added subsec. (h).