Ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases

Ozone-depleting substances damage the ozone layer. The damage allows more ultra-violet radiation from the sun to pass through. This can cause harm to our health. To prevent damage, we must tightly control and manage these substances.

Synthetic greenhouse gases are often used to replace ozone-depleting substances. These are used in refrigeration, firefighting and other systems. The synthetic gases do not damage the ozone layer. But as greenhouse gases, we must also control and manage their use as they contribute to climate change.

Our role

We implement the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act by: 

• controlling the manufacture, import, export, use and disposal of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases
• licencing the businesses and technicians who are the major end users of these gases.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:

• support the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) imports in Australia from January 2018
• help Australia meet its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Find out more on the department’s website.