With the completion of the grace period granted on signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, developing countries are set to begin, on 1 July 1999, a freeze on production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), prior to a gradual reduction and final phase-out in the year 2010. The freeze on other substances, namely halons and methyl chloroform, will follow shortly. "We welcome the continued participation of the developing countries as we step up our efforts to heal the ozone layer", said Klaus Toepfer, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). "Our task is a challenging one, but it is made more manageable with the total commitment of all Parties to the Montreal Protocol".