Importing hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment UPDATE

Importing hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment  

Please note the below changes from 1^st January 2020 as advised by the Department of the Environment & Energy, International Ozone Protection & Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Team.

Rules for importing hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment are changing on 1 January 2020.

• From 1 January 2020 importing all types of HCFC equipment (including, for example, HCFC aerosols and HCFC fire protection equipment) will be banned, except in certain circumstances. This includes all equipment that uses HCFCs, even if it does not have gas in it at the time of import.
• From 1 January 2020, an equipment licence may be granted for import of HCFC equipment only in limited circumstances.
• From 1 January 2020 low volume imports of HCFC equipment without a licence will no longer be allowed.

NOTE:

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are ozone depleting substances, and are chemicals that are mainly used as refrigerants.

Unfortunately, releases of HCFCs deplete the Earth’s protective ozone layer and contribute to climate change. R-22 is an HCFC refrigerant that is often used in air-conditioning equipment.

Production and import of HCFCs is being phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol).

Australia has implemented an accelerated phase-out of HCFCs under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act), and phase-out schedule has been implemented by allocating HCFC importers and manufacturers a limited quota.

As of 01^st January 2020, the above ban on importing of HCFC equipment is being implemented, and further details can be found on the Department of the Environment & Energy website: environment.gov.au, or contacting ozone@environment.gov.au or on +61 2 6274 1373.