Halons are the active ingredient in Fire Suppression Systems on many aircraft. However, Halons are a type of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) subject to controls under European Regulation (EU) 590/2024 on substances that deplete the ozone layer (ODS Regulation). Under this regulation, although Halons are now generally banned, there are time-limited exemptions for their “critical use” within specified categories of fire suppressant equipment on board aircraft.
The “End Dates” for these critical use categories are set out under Commission Regulation (EU) No. 744/2010. The end date is the date after which halons shall not be used and by which fire extinguishers and fire protection equipment containing halons shall be decommissioned and replaced by alternative fire suppression systems.
End Date for halons within fixed systems for protection of lavatory waste receptacles
The end date for the use of Halons in all aircraft lavatory waste receptacles was 31/12/2020. The use of halons for this purpose after this end date is not compliant with the provisions of the ODS Regulation. Therefore, any aircraft still using halons are required to retrofit the lavatories to remove the halons and to replace them with suitable alternatives without delay.
End Date for Hand-Held (Portable) Extinguishers containing Halons
Please be aware that all hand-held (portable) fire extinguishers in the cabin and crew compartments containing halons are required to be replaced with suitable alternatives by the end date of 31/12/2025.
What to Do with Halon Cylinders Once Removed from Aircraft
These recovered halons must be treated as hazardous waste and the halons contained within the removed cylinders should be sent for recycling or reclamation in preference to destruction to an appropriate facility. Waste records pertaining to the recycling or reclamation of halon cylinders swapped out from aircraft should be retained for inspection by the EPA if required.
Annual Reporting by Users of Halons
The critical use of halons must be reported annually under Article 26 of the ODS Regulation to the EU Commission. Please note, it is a legal obligation under S.I. No. 465 of 2011 to submit this information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Competent Authority for enforcement of ODS Regulations in Ireland.
All registered owners of aircraft which have halons onboard are required to register on the EPA’s online EDEN portal (if not already done) and complete an annual return before 31st March of the subsequent year. So, a data return for 2023 must be submitted through the EDEN portal by 31st March 2024. Details on how to do this can be found at this link.
For further information see www.ozone.ie. Queries can be emailed to ods@epa.ie
