The Government has made the Ozone-Depleting Substances (Grant of Halon Derogations) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/1276), creating targeted extensions for the use of halon 1211 on specified aircraft. The instrument was made on 4 December 2025, laid before Parliament on 8 December 2025, and will come into force on 30 December 2025.
The Regulations rely on Article 13(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer, which permits derogations where no technically and economically feasible alternative exists. The Secretary of State records that this condition is satisfied and confirms consultation in line with Article 25D(9). The Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulation operates in the UK as assimilated law-post‑EU terminology for retained EU law that continues to have effect domestically.
The territorial extent is England and Wales and Scotland. Consent of the Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Ministers was required under Articles 25A(1) and 25B(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009, as amended by S.I. 2019/583, and has been secured.
The derogations are narrow. They apply only to halon 1211 used in portable fire extinguishers for the protection of cabins and crew compartments in certain aircraft. The instrument modifies the ‘end date’ defined in paragraph 4 of Annex VI to the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulation and, specifically, the aviation entry at row 4.2.
Three new end dates are set by Regulation 3. For Defence aircraft listed in Table 1 of Schedule 1, the end date is 30 June 2027. For Defence aircraft listed in Table 2 of Schedule 1, the end date is 31 December 2040. For the Loganair aircraft listed in Schedule 2, the end date is 31 December 2026.
Regulation 2 defines the key terms. ‘Defence aircraft’ are those enumerated in Schedule 1 and used for safeguarding national security; ‘Loganair aircraft’ are those listed in Schedule 2 and operated by Loganair (registered company number SC170072). ‘Halon 1211’ is the Annex I substance of that name under the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulation.
The effect is confined to the aircraft and equipment specified in the schedules and does not create a general exemption for aviation uses of halon. Outside the scope of these listings, the standard Annex VI end date continues to apply.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Emma Hardy, signed the Regulations for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. An Explanatory Memorandum has been published alongside the instrument on legislation.gov.uk.
The Department indicates that no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen; accordingly, no full impact assessment has been produced. The time‑limited extensions reflect safety-critical needs where alternatives remain unavailable for the specific fleets concerned.