Dj Vnyash
Starting in January 2026, importers of refrigeration and air conditioning gases will no longer be able to bring HCFC refrigerants into Kenya, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has announced.
In a statement issued on December 18, NEMA revealed that 2025 would be the final year Kenya can import HCFC under the Montreal Protocol and its amendments. Importers were also reminded to apply for their annual import licenses for 2025 by February 28, 2025.
“Importers are reminded that the phase-out date for the importation of HCFC in Kenya is January 1, 2026,” the statement noted.
Refrigeration dealers who fail to obtain a license and continue using HCFC refrigerants will be in violation of the Environmental Management and Coordination (Controlled Substances) Regulations of 2007. These regulations are part of NEMA’s effort to regulate the production, trade, and use of controlled substances and ensure compliance with the Montreal Protocol, which aims to protect the ozone layer.
HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are widely used in refrigeration and air conditioning, but they have been identified as an environmental threat, especially when improperly used. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has linked HCFC emissions to the depletion of the ozone layer, which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Countries like South Korea are advancing alternatives to HCFC in refrigeration systems. For example, a new ultra-high-speed compander technology, which uses air as a refrigerant, could revolutionize cooling systems, allowing temperatures as low as -60°C without relying on chemicals.
Several African nations, including Zimbabwe, have already begun phasing out HCFCs. Zimbabwe has completely banned the importation of HCFCs, aiming to be free of the gas by January 1, 2030, to protect the ozone layer and boost energy efficiency.
Silverio Omari
