Categories and examples of laboratory uses (not exhaustive list)

Reference

1. Research and development (e.g. pharmaceutical, pesticide, CFC

and HCFC substitutes)

1.1 Reaction solvent or reaction feedstock (e.g. Diels-Alder and Friedel-Craft Reactions, RuO3 oxidation, allelic side bromination, etc.)

2. Analytical uses and regulated applications (including quality control)

2.1 Reference

– Chemical (ODS monitoring, volatile organic compound (VOC) Detection, Equipment Calibration)

– Toxicant

– Product (adhesive bond strength, breathing filter test)

2.2 Extraction

– Pesticide and heavy metal detection (e.g. in food)

– Oil mist analysis

– Colour and food additive detection

– Oil detection in water and soil

2.3 Diluent

– Zinc, copper, cadmium detection in plants and food

– Microchemical methods to determine molecular weight or oxygen

– Measuring drug purity and residual determination

– Sterilization of lab equipment

2.4 Carrier (Inert)

– Forensic methods (e.g. fingerprinting)¹

– Titration (cholesterol in eggs, drug chemical characteristics, “Iodine value”, e.g. in oils and chemical products)

– Analytical equipment (Spectroscopy (Infra-red, Ultra-violet, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, fluorescence), chromatography (High-pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, thin-layer chromatography)

2.5 Tracer

– Sanitary engineering

2.6 Miscellaneous (including testing)

– Ingredient in material for testing (e.g. asphalt, metal fatigue and fracturing)

– Separation media (separation of extraneous materials such as filth and insect excreta from stored food products)

3. Miscellaneous (including biochemical)

3.1 Laboratory method development

3.2 Sample preparation using solvent

3.3 Heat transfer medium

Annex IV of the 7^th MOP

adopted by decision VII/11

Categories of laboratory and analytical uses allowing the use of methyl bromide

Reference

(a) As a reference or standard:

(i) To calibrate equipment which uses methyl bromide

(ii) To monitor methyl bromide emission levels

(iii) To determine methyl bromide residue levels in goods, plants and commodities

(b) In a laboratory toxicological study

(c) To compare the efficacy of methyl bromide and its alternatives inside a laboratory;

(d) As a laboratory agent which is destroyed in a chemical reaction in the manner of feedstock

Decision XVIII/15

Categories of laboratory and analytical uses no longer exempted

Reference

1. Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment used in laboratories, including refrigerated laboratory equipment such as ultra-centrifuges

2. Cleaning, reworking, repair, or rebuilding of electronic components or assemblies

3. Preservation of publications and archives

4. Sterilization of materials in a laboratory

Decision VII/11

5. Testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water

6. Testing of tar in road-paving materials

7. Forensic finger-printing

Decision XI/15

8. Testing of organic matter in coal

Decision XIX/18