2. 7 Luxembourg : The First European Greenfreeze Country

Luxembourg's ozone protection legislation is an example of progressive environmental initiative.

On May 9, 1990 Luxembourg passed a law which is the framework for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Instead of regulating dangerous chemicals 'one-by-one' the Luxembourg law uses the EIA to achieve environmental protection with the least legislative efforts. As it demands "Best Available Technology" (BAT), a standard, which can be upgraded when needed, the appropriate law is very flexible and quick and therefore effective in regulating chemicals, in this case HCFC/HFCs.

CFC/HCFC/HFC technologies are not regarded as the "Best Available Technologies" and are not accepted under the compulsory Environmental Impact Assessment. The Luxembourg authorities base their ban on ozone depleting and climate destroying chemicals on very simple arguments, such as, CFC/HCFC/HFC-technologies create toxic waste, they have toxic by-products in case of fire, and sooner or later they become waste which can not be disposed in an environmentally sound manner.

Environmentally better technologies are being used to replace them. These include ammonia or hydrocarbon based adsorption systems for air-conditioning, and secondary cooling systems for commercial refrigeration in supermarkets. What system is applied in each case depends on the actual circumstances. Existing CFC-containing systems are being replaced by HCFC and HFC-free cooling alternatives in supermarket refrigeration, office building air conditioning and industries (from small enterprises up the large steel industry).

Examples of where this law has been applied include:

• The nine new electro steel mills of 'ARBED' which now use ammonia air conditioning systems.
• The air condition of the headquarters of the Luxembourg "Banque Generale".
• Numerous supermarkets in Luxembourg: 'Cactus' stores in Bereldange and Esch; 'Match' stores in Diekirchen, Mersch; 'Bel Etoile' store in Strassen; and 'Topas' store in the city of Luxembourg.
• "City Center Project": A huge multiple use center in downtown Luxembourg hosting the 'European Statistical Agency', hotels and a big supermarket.

The net result of the application of the EIA is that no new cooling systems using CFCs, HCFCs or HFCS are being permitted anymore in Luxembourg!

Further information on the Luxembourg legislation is available from:

Jean Biver, Administration de l'Environnement,
1, rue Bender, L - 1229
Luxembourg,
Tel : 00352 40 56 56 1 - Fax : 00352 48 50 78