prensa update
February 2015
Just Chill – Managing the Phase Out of
Ozone Depleting Refrigerants
As we move into a new calendar year it is a timely opportunity to clarify the
requirements concerning the phase out of ozone depleting refrigerant gases used in
air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.
Why are ozone depleting refrigerants a problem?
Ozone, a naturally occurring molecule made of oxygen, forms a gaseous layer mostly
in the upper atmosphere. This layer of ozone protects life on earth from the
deleterious effects of ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun (e.g. skin cancer).
Refrigerant gases, notably CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons), as well as other gases used as agricultural fumigants, fire
suppressants and aerosols are directly implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer.
What has been done to address the problem?
In response to the declining levels of ozone, an international treaty (The Montreal
Protocol) was ratified by UN recognised nations more than 25 years ago. The protocol
sets out a mandatory timetable for the phase out of ozone depleting substances. The
timetable set by the Montreal Protocol applies to the bulk consumption of ozone
depleting substances. Consumption is defined as the quantities manufactured plus
imported, less those quantities exported in any given year.
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Refrigerants
The import or manufacture of CFC refrigerants
such as R11 and R12 has been banned in Australia
since 1996 although older refrigeration and air
conditioning equipment may still use these
refrigerants. However, much of the plant and
equipment using CFCs has reached the end of its
useful life and has subsequently been replaced
with equipment either utilising lower or non
ozone depleting refrigerants. CFCs may continue
to be used although they can only be handled by
suitably qualified personnel, must be recovered
whenever possible and the trade of CFCs is
subject to legislative controls.
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CANBERRA
PERTH
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
0459 124 150
(07) 3367 8944
(03) 9508 0100
(02) 8968 2500
(07) 3367 8944
PO BOX 6724,
G, 261-271 Wattletree Rd L2, 115 Military Rd
L2, 16 Douglas St PO BOX 1412,
Malvern VIC 3144
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Milton QLD 4064 Belconnen ACT 2616 East Perth WA 6892
prensa update
February 2015
Hydro-chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) Refrigerants
HCFC refrigerants have been commonly used in air
conditioning and refrigeration equipment since the 1990s
following the phase out of CFC refrigerants. These HCFC
refrigerants are currently subject to the phase out
requirements. The most prevalent of the HCFC refrigerants is
HCFC-22, more commonly known as R22.
Australia has adopted an accelerated phase-out of HCFCs
under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas
Management Act 1989 that will largely phase out the import of
HCFCs from 2016, four years ahead of the schedule required
under the Protocol. The quantities of new R22 imported into Australia will further
reduce from a maximum of 180 tonnes in 2015 to 45 tonnes in 2016 (compared to
4,500 tonnes in 1996 when the phase out was introduced). This amount (45 tonnes)
will be permitted until 2029 to service equipment; beyond this date the servicing of
remaining R22-based systems will rely solely on recycled or reclaimed refrigerant.
How to Manage the Phase-Out period
Ÿ As a starting point, all significant refrigeration and air conditioning plant on
site should be identified together with the type of refrigerant in use.
Ÿ Regular servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning systems is important
to minimise the leakage of refrigerants to the environment.
Ÿ As part of the maintenance regime, periodic condition assessments and life
cycle analysis should be undertaken with a view for replacement or
retrofitting with non-ozone depleting refrigerants at the end of the
equipment's useful life. Such information will be important in preparing
replacement schedules and capital expenditure forecasts.
It should be noted that The Montreal Protocol does not prohibit the use of existing
or recycled CFC or HCFC refrigerants beyond the phase-out dates. Existing stocks
of these refrigerants will continue to decline which may see an increase in costs
and potential supply issues in the longer term. However, the existing stocks of R22
supplemented by recycled or reclaimed refrigerant from existing equipment are
expected to meet current needs particularly given that the import and
manufacture of air conditioning equipment that uses R22 has been prohibited
since 2010.
contact us
prensa.com.au
[email protected]
CANBERRA
PERTH
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
0459 124 150
(07) 3367 8944
(03) 9508 0100
(02) 8968 2500
(07) 3367 8944
PO BOX 6724,
G, 261-271 Wattletree Rd L2, 115 Military Rd
L2, 16 Douglas St PO BOX 1412,
Malvern VIC 3144
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Milton QLD 4064 Belconnen ACT 2616 East Perth WA 6892
prensa update
February 2015
There is no need to transition to an alternative refrigerant or air conditioning system if
the existing equipment is in good working order i.e. existing systems using R22 can
continue to be serviced with R22. Nonetheless, it is recognised there may be other
factors such as corporate environmental objectives and targets that will drive the
retrofitting or replacement of air conditioning or refrigerant systems using ozone
depleting refrigerants with non-ozone-depleting substitute refrigerants prior to the
useful life of the equipment being reached.
Other legislative obligations
In addition to the phase out requirements, there are
additional legislative requirements under the Ozone
Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas
Management Regulations 1995 regarding the trade of
ozone depleting refrigerants and maintenance of
refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
In particular;
Ÿ A Refrigerant Trading Authorisation is required when a business or individual
wishes to acquire, possess or dispose of refrigerant. A Refrigerant Trading
Authorisation is subject to conditions and auditing processes designed to
minimise the risk of emissions while the refrigerant is in the business or
individual's possession.
Ÿ Any person who handles ozone depleting refrigerant or works on refrigeration
and air conditioning equipment must hold a Refrigerant Handling Licence.
Handling a refrigerant means doing anything with the refrigerant, or a
component of the equipment, that carries the risk of its emission, including:
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decanting the refrigerant; or
manufacturing, installing, commissioning, servicing or maintaining
refrigeration/air conditioning equipment, irrespective of whether or not
refrigerant is present; or
decommissioning or disposing of refrigeration or air conditioning
equipment where refrigerant is present.
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) is responsible for granting refrigerant
trading authorisations and refrigerant handling licences under the Regulations.
contact us
prensa.com.au
[email protected]
CANBERRA
PERTH
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
0459 124 150
(07) 3367 8944
(03) 9508 0100
(02) 8968 2500
(07) 3367 8944
PO BOX 6724,
G, 261-271 Wattletree Rd L2, 115 Military Rd
L2, 16 Douglas St PO BOX 1412,
Malvern VIC 3144
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Milton QLD 4064 Belconnen ACT 2616 East Perth WA 6892
prensa update
February 2015
What has been the environmental impact of the Phase-Out under the
Montreal Protocol?
The Montreal Protocol is widely considered as the most successful environment
protection agreement being the first international environmental treaty to achieve
complete ratification. The World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations
Environment Programme review the state of the ozone layer every 4 years. The 2014
review concluded that “actions taken under the Montreal Protocol have led to
decreases in the atmospheric abundance of controlled ozone-depleting substances
(ODSs), and are enabling the
return of the ozone layer
toward 1980 levels”. Under full
compliance with the Montreal
Protocol this recovery is
expected to occur before 2050
in mid-latitudes and the Arctic,
and somewhat later for the
Antarctic region.
contact us
prensa.com.au
[email protected]
CANBERRA
PERTH
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
BRISBANE
0459 124 150
(07) 3367 8944
(03) 9508 0100
(02) 8968 2500
(07) 3367 8944
PO BOX 6724,
G, 261-271 Wattletree Rd L2, 115 Military Rd
L2, 16 Douglas St PO BOX 1412,
Malvern VIC 3144
Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Milton QLD 4064 Belconnen ACT 2616 East Perth WA 6892