European Regulation CE 2037/2000 European Regulation No. 2037/2000 was adopted by the Parliament on the 13 June 2000 and by the Council on the 20 June 2000. The new regulation applies from the 1 October 2000.   Overall, the new regulation provides for a significant improvement for the ozone layer through a quicker elimination of all ozone depleting substances in the European Community than that agreed under the Montreal Protocol.   The new Regulation include a ban on the sale and use of Halons after December 31, 2002 (except for critical uses) with mandatory decommissioning of non-critical halon systems required by December 31, 2003. The new regulations make compulsory the recovery and disposal of Halons from fire protection equipment. HCFCs can be used to replace Halons in critical use systems as long as the removed halon is destroyed and 70% of the destruction costs are covered by the supplier of the HCFCs.   The regulations include the following list of critical halon uses which can be substituted by HCFCs:   Halon 1301   in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and dry bays, in military land vehicles and naval vessels for the protection of spaces occupied by personnel and engine compartments, for the making inert of occupied spaces where flammable liquid and/or gas release could occur in the military and oil, gas, and petrochemical sector, and in existing cargo ships, for the making inert of manned communication and command centres of the armed forces or otherwise essential for national security, for the making inert of spaces where there may be a risk of dispersion of radioactive matter, in the Channel tunnel and associated installations and rolling stock.   Halon 1211   in hand held fire extinguishers and fixed extinguisher equipment for engines for use on board aircraft in aircraft for the protection of crew compartments, engine nacelles, cargo bays and dry bays, in fire extinguishers essential to the personal safety for initial extinguishing by fire brigades. in military and police fire extinguishers for use on persons.   The new regulations also restrict the import and export of ozone depleting substances, including Halons. The regulation states that exports of Halons are prohibited, except for those contained in products and equipment aimed for critical uses. There are some who believe that export of bulk quantities of recycled Halons will be allowed as long as the halon is intended for one the critical uses listed in the regulation.