le 10 décembre 2002:
L’Autriche vient de décider définitivement de bannir l’utilisation des HFC pour de nombreuses applications du froid et du conditionnement d’air.

Le texte ci-après est une traduction non officielle et partielle du document officiel autrichien. L’AFCE ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de son utilisation.

Restrictions
§ 3. The use and marketing of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) are prohibited, unless §§ 4 – 11 provide otherwise.
Refrigerants and Coolants
§ 4. (1) The use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants is prohibited for the following purposes as of the date mentioned.
1. household refrigerators and freezers produced after 31 December 2002, as of 1 January 2003, with the exception of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in household refrigerators and freezers verifiably produced for the export market.
2. air-conditioning, cooling and freezing devices produced after 31 December 2006, as of 1 January 2007;
3. installations with a minimum input power of 150 kW erected after 31 December 2003, as of 1 January 2004;
4. mobile refrigeration and air-conditioning systems produced after 31 December 2006, as of 1 January 2007;
5. other systems and devices constructed after 31 December 2006, as of 1 January 2007. (2) The use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for maintaining and servicing those cooling, freezing and air-conditioning devices and systems already in lawful operation on the date of the entry into force of the relevant use restriction is exempted from Sec 1, provided it is technically impossible to adapt the devices and systems to use other refrigerants or the expense in adapting them is disproportionate to the potential benefits. (3) The production, import from an EEA member state and marketing of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for the purposes mentioned in Sec 1 are prohibited as of the date of the entry into force of the relevant use restriction. However, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) may be produced, imported from an EEA member state or marketed in the amounts required for the maintenance of cooling, freezing and air-conditioning devices and systems already in lawful operation on the date of the restriction, provided the user verifies this fact to the supplier. (4) The use of perfluorocarbons (PFCs) is permitted in direct contact cooling of high-performance electronics. For this purpose perfluorocarbons (PFCs) may be marketed and purchased in the amounts required. (5) The import from an EEA member state and marketing of products and installations containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), whose use is restricted under Sec 1, are prohibited as of the date of entry into force of the relevant use restriction. However, products and installations proven to have been produced in Austria or imported from an EEA member state before the date of restriction may be distributed for up to six months after the entry into force thereof. (6) In deviation from Sec 5 the export of household refrigerators and freezers containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) continues to be permitted. (7) Only specially licensed businesses are authorized to purchase or distribute hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for use as refrigerants or coolants. (8) A producer or importer may apply for an exemption from Sec 1 Subsecs 2, 4 and 5. The provincial governor may permit the use and marketing of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) for a maximum of two years, provided the producer or importer can prove the use is required on technical grounds and substitutes or other state-of-the-art procedures are unavailable or state-of-the-art substitutes for the specific devices do not exist. The exemption may be extended for two years. (9) The expertise required under Sec 8 for an exemption from Sec 1 Subsec 5 may be waived if the weight of refrigerants used containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) does not exceed 20 kg. (10) The producers of devices mentioned in Sec 1 Subsecs 1 and 2 containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) shall notify, in writing, the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Maintenance of the identity of purchasers and the type and amount (weight) of the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used during each calendar year by 31 March of the following year at the latest. Importers of such devices shall notify, in writing, the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Maintenance of the type and number as well as the size (capacity) of such devices imported during each calendar year by 31 March of the following year at the latest. (11) Enterprises that produce, maintain and service systems mentioned in Sec 1 shall notify, in writing, the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Maintenance of the type and amount of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
1. filled into new systems,
2. refilled into existing systems and
3. disposed of as waste,
during each calendar year by 31 March of the following year at the latest. (12) The Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Maintenance shall review the prohibitions under Sec 1 Subsecs 2, 4 and 5 at least one year prior to 1 January 2007. The Minister shall determine whether the state of the art requires prohibition dates to be amended and whether exemptions are necessary.