Skip to main content
Climate Action

Business portal

Licensing and reporting Ozone-Depleting Substances in the EU

Licences & reporting for uses in the EU

The import and export of ozone-depleting substances (ODS), as well as their production for laboratory and analytical uses, are subject to licensing requirements.

These activities, along with destruction of ODS, feedstock uses and process agent uses, are also subject to annual reporting requirements.

Furthermore, the production of ODS for laboratory and analytical uses is subject to registration requirements.

For these purposes, enter one of the two electronic systems: ​the ODS Licensing System (for licensing and reporting) or the labODS registry (for laboratory and analytical uses).

ODS Licensing System

When to go to the ODS Licensing System? How to use the ODS Licensing System?

Log-in to the ODS Licensing System if you want to:

  • Apply for an ODS import or export licence
  • Apply for an ODS production authorisation
  • Apply for ODS quota
  • Complete an annual report on consumption of ODS

Manuals for the ODS Licensing System:

If you need more information on the ODS Licensing System, please consult the manuals

LabODS registry

LabODS declarations are required from:

  • End users of ODS in laboratories
  • EU internal distributors who place ODS for laboratory and analytical uses on the market.
When to use the labODS registry? How to use the labODS registry?

Log-in to the labODS registry if you want to:

  • Obtain a labODS number
  • Update an existing labODS declaration

Manuals for the labODS registry:

  • If you need more information on the labODS registry, please consult the manuals

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom and EU rules in the field of import/export licenses

The transition period for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union ended on 31 December 2020. Since then, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement applies. The EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement including the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland applies since 1 February 2020.

In the framework of the Protocol, shipments of ozone-depleting substances from either the EU-27 or Northern Ireland to Great Britain and vice-versa require an import/export licence

Accordingly, on 31 December 2020 the accounts of undertakings located in Great Britain were disabled both in the ODS licensing system and labODS Registry. Undertakings located in Northern Ireland keep their accounts in both systems.