Industry experts, policymakers, and civil society groups gathered in November for the 37th Meeting of the Parties (MOP37) to the Montreal Protocol in Nairobi, Kenya, with a special focus on strengthening action against the illegal trade of refrigerants and other controlled substances.
A full-day informal session held prior to MOP37 addressed issues such as import and export licensing systems, enforcement mechanisms, and capacity building. Presentations included contributions from national and international experts, including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and covered best practices in preventing illegal trade, handling seized refrigerants, and improving data sharing across agencies.
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) released a briefing ahead of the session, offering recommendations based on its ongoing investigations into the illegal trade of ozone-depleting substances and fluorinated gases. Key discussion points included the need for preventive mechanisms like the informal Prior Informed Consent (iPIC) procedure, improved monitoring of e-commerce platforms, and a full lifecycle approach to refrigerant management, including a proposed global ban on disposable cylinders.
The meeting emphasized that adequate penalties and increased public awareness are essential to deter illegal activity. Parties will continue discussions in 2026 to further address the environmental and economic risks posed by illegal trade as global phase-down efforts continue.
In a related enforcement success, Spanish authorities conducted two major refrigerant seizures in October 2025. The first operation resulted in the confiscation of 41,000 kg (90,390 lbs) of illegal R-134A refrigerant, making it the second largest seizure of its kind in Spain. The smuggled refrigerant was hidden in 3,450 disposable cylinders and its capture helped prevent emissions equivalent to those produced annually by over 12,000 cars.
In a separate case, Spanish officials seized 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) of refrigerant gases valued at approximately 413,000 euros (about USD 447,000), leading to multiple arrests. This action, supported by intelligence from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), underscored the importance of inter-agency and international cooperation in dismantling illegal trade networks.
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