Qatar Cabinet Approves Draft Decisions Banning Import of Ozone-Depleting Substances

The Cabinet of the State of Qatar, chaired by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, approved two draft decisions aimed at prohibiting the import of certain ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and greenhouse gas-causing chemicals. The move was taken during the government’s regular weekly meeting in Doha, reflecting Qatar’s commitment to strengthening environmental protection and advancing sustainability goals.

The draft decisions, submitted by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, are part of a broader effort to reduce harmful emissions and protect the ozone layer, aligning with international environmental commitments such as those under the Montreal Protocol. By restricting the entry of chemicals known to damage the atmosphere, Qatar intends to encourage the use of safer alternatives and promote more environmentally responsible industrial and commercial practices across its economy.

In announcing the approvals, government officials emphasised that these measures support Qatar’s strategic sustainability objectives under the Qatar National Vision 2030 and its Third National Development Strategy, both of which prioritise environmental stewardship and long-term ecological resilience. Restricting imports of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gas-causing substances is expected to contribute to improved atmospheric protection and enhanced public and environmental health outcomes.

The Cabinet’s meeting also reviewed several other national priorities, including international cooperation agreements and reports on Qatar’s participation in global environmental forums such as the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi in December 2025. The broader agenda underscores Qatar’s engagement in global sustainability dialogues and its efforts to integrate environmental considerations into national policy planning.

Ozone-depleting-substance bans are a compliance signal that industrial corporates need to actively check refrigerant and process-gas exposure, and it affects chemicals, refrigeration and food-storage supply chains directly. Our sustainability-due-diligence teams help clients evaluate substance-linked exposure and align with Montreal Protocol and adjacent frameworks.