Ozone Act review - a business bonus

Businesses and individuals holding licences through the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) will save money and time through the outcomes of the Australian Government’s review of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Programme.

Along with a statutory phase-down of Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) imports, some of the key outcomes of the review relate specifically to the licensing regulations around refrigerants. These include:

• Providing for ARCtick licence holders to renew their licences rather than applying for a new licence, saving businesses $580 000 annually through a reduced regulatory burden.
• Strengthening the Department of the Environment’s role as the refrigeration and air conditioning licensing scheme regulator through new offence provisions, increased penalty amounts and the publishing of compliance actions.

These measures were suggested by the ARC during consultation on the review, to improve the effectiveness of the scheme through streamlining the licence process and making it more efficient for individuals and businesses.

The review outcomes also provided for bans on the import of new equipment containing high global warming potential HFCs. Domestic and automotive air conditioners containing high global warming potential HFCs are equipment that will be considered in the future. This will be based on an assessment of the Australian market, particularly whether alternative equipment is available.

The Department of the Environment will also work with the ARC and businesses to develop information to better inform equipment owners of the benefits of properly installing new equipment and regularly maintaining it. The result will be substantial savings in emissions from reduced gas leakage and lower electricity use. Businesses will also benefit from reduced electricity costs, reduced replacement costs for gas leakage and longer equipment life.

All measures are intended to commence by 1 January 2018, providing the amendments to the legislation pass through Parliament. To read further about the Ozone Act review visit the Department of the Environment website at www.environment.gov.au

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