ShareIllegal HFC trade: over 344 tonnes of seized ODS and HFCs
Led by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in collaboration with 17 national customs administrations, operation DEMETER X resulted in 99 Montreal Protocol related seizures in the second semester of 2024, representing over 344 tons of seized ODS and HFCs.
Led by the World Customs Organization (WCO) since 2009, the DEMETER Operations are aimed at intercepting illegal shipments of hazardous waste, especially plastic waste, as well as ozone depleting substances (ODS) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that contribute to global warming and environmental degradation.
In the second semester of 2024, the tenth iteration of WCO Operation DEMETER saw the participation of a record 110 Customs administrations and led to 450 seizures [1]. In 2023, DEMETER IX had involved 106 Customs administrations and led to the detection of 338 infringement cases [2].
The 2024 operation included 324 seizures of waste, 99 seizures of ODS, HFCs and equipment containing or relying on controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol, and 27 seizures of other commodities, including restricted or prohibited commodities such as hazardous chemicals.
HFCs were the most prominently trafficked commodities both in terms of the number of seizures and the quantity seized. In terms of quantities, over 344 tonnes of ODS & HFCs, and 24 tonnes and 11,620 pieces of equipment containing or relying on controlled substances were seized.
Cooperation is required at the international level, but also nationally, with agencies in charge of implementing regulations on the movement of the targeted products. 17 national customs administrations reported seizures related to substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment. Administrations from Gambia, Bulgaria and Italy stood out in the number of seizures they reported. In terms of the quantity seized, Sri Lanka took first place, followed by Italy and North Macedonia.
Sources
[1] World Customs Organization. Operation DEMETER X. https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2024/november/operation-demeter-x.aspx
[2] World Customs Organization. Operation DEMETER IX. https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2023/december/operation-demeter-ix-in-fighting-the-trafficking-of-wastes-and-ozone-depleting-substances.aspx
Image credits: World Customs Organization