Illegal discharge of Refrigerant

Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 / Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995.

Did you know that discharging refrigerant containing ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases is an offence under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989?

It makes sense to handle refrigerant correctly

Preventing discharges from occurring is good for the environment, it also makes financial sense as recovering refrigerant and returning it to a wholesaler earns credit for each kilo returned. Refrigerant Reclaim Australia has more than 500 collection points across Australia.

Discharging refrigerant to the atmosphere

A discharge of refrigerant is illegal whether it is done deliberately or accidently. This is why it is important to ensure you are following codes of practice, working to the required Australian Standard and meeting the conditions of your refrigerant trading authorisation when handling refrigerant.

It is an offence under section 45B of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 to carry out an action which results in a discharge of a scheduled substance. Penalties for a body corporate may be up to $270,000 and $54,000 for an individual.

Compliance and enforcement

The Department of the Environment and Energy is focussing its work on detecting and responding to instances where:

• work on refrigeration and air conditioning equipment results in the illegal discharge of refrigerant; and
• refrigerant is being handled by someone without an appropriate permit.

The Department works closely with the Australian Refrigeration Council to provide information and assist technicians in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry to prevent discharges from occurring.

If you have any information about the discharge of a scheduled substance, or other non-compliance within the refrigeration and air conditioning industry, you can report it to the Australian Refrigeration Council by lodging a complaint at www.arctick.org/information/lodge-a-complaint/.

Information is held in strict confidence. If you would like more information about the scheme, including how to obtain a licence, contact ARC on 1300 88 44 83.

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