iPIC breaks all records in 2020 screening 40,000 tonnes

The OzonAction informal prior informed consent mechanism (iPIC) 2021 annual report provides a concise summary of the operation of iPIC queries in 2020 as well as providing a summary of data from the last decade to show the evolution of the platform and the new features of the upgraded platform. This report is intended to present iPIC’s successes and encourage further usage of the platform both from new users and to inspire current members to further engage in the iPIC process. iPIC was developed and is maintained by OzonAction to assist countries to better manage trade in ODS that are controlled under the Protocol; to facilitate and monitor ODS trade and avoid illegal or unwanted shipments. iPIC is a secure, restricted platform that currently has 127 member countries.

iPIC_22020 was a very important year for iPIC. Early in that year the new updated and improved platform was launched. This has proved to be greatly appreciated by users. Additionally, and perhaps connected to this is the fact that 2020 was the most successful year for iPIC since its inception. In 2020, there were 946 queries screened through iPIC. This is a huge jump in usage. In terms of quantity of ODS and other substances this was almost 40,000 metric tonnes screened through iPIC. This is equivalent to 5,800 ODP tonnes or 72 million CO2–equivalent tonnes of CFCs, HCFCs, carbon tetrachloride (CTC), HFCs and other substances.

UNEP OzonAction encourages all countries that have not yet adopted iPIC to register and use the tool for effective monitoring of ODS, HFCs and other controlled substances. Countries that are registered, but do not regularly use the system are encouraged to have a look at the new updated platform and see how easy it now is to fully engage in the iPIC process.