Voluntary agreements on HFCs raise questions about compliance

Voluntary agreements to control the use of the greenhouse gases HFCs have been signed between the Department of the Environment (DoE) and the aerosol, foam and fire-extinguishing equipment industries. But the refrigeration and air conditioning sector agreed only to a much weaker "declaration of intent". No more than two of the 15 trade associations involved are expected to make compliance with the deals a condition of membership, and the initiatives also raise wider questions about the use of voluntary agreements to achieve environmental goals.