The government adopted a decree on substances damaging the ozone layer under which as of 1 January 2006, the companies importing them will have to pay compensation for their temporary storage and destruction. The money will go to the Environmental Protection and Energy Effectiveness Fund.
The minister said Croatia had already equipped three centres for such substances in Split, Rijeka and Zagreb, and intended to open one in Osijek too.
The consumption of ozone-depleting substances significantly decreased in Croatia over the past 15 years. Last year's consumption was 211 tonnes, 16.8 per cent of the consumption in 1990.
Air conditioners account for 95 per cent of the consumption of such substances.
(Hina) ha