Import and export licences

About licences and reporting

The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) controls the manufacture, import and export of a range of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases in Australia.

The categories of ozone depleting substance controlled are:

• chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
• halon 1211, 1301 and 2402
• carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)
• methyl chloroform (CH₃CCl₃)
• hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)
• hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs)
• methyl bromide
• bromochloromethane (BCM).

The categories of synthetic greenhouse gases controlled are:

• hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
• perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
• sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)
• nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃).

The import, export and manufacture of these controlled substances, and the import and manufacture of certain equipment containing or designed to contain some of these substances, is prohibited in Australia unless the correct licence or exemption is held. The Act prohibits the import and manufacture of equipment that contains or relies upon CFCs, including foams blown with CFCs, and all types of equipment that contains or uses HCFCs, except in certain circumstances.

All licences to import or export ozone depleting substances carry a condition that the licensee must only import or export the substance from a country that has ratified the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol) and relevant subsequent Amendments.

• See the Register of Montreal Protocol Countries for more information.

It is a condition of all licences that the licensee does not allow another person or business to use their licence number.

Import/Export Licences

There are four types of import/export licences under the Act.

1. Equipment licences (EQPL): allow for the import of equipment that contains synthetic greenhouse gases, including hydrofluorocarbon (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃). EQPLs may also be issued that allow for the import of equipment that contains or is designed to use hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) in certain limited circumstances. EQPLs may also list other activities the licence holder may engage in that may otherwise be in contravention of the Act and associated Regulations.
   • More information about equipment licences (EQPL)
2. Controlled substances licences: allow for the import, export and manufacture of bulk HFCs, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) (all known as synthetic greenhouse gases), HCFCs and methyl bromide. More information about:
   • HFC, PFC, SF₆ and NF₃ licences
   • HCFC licences
   • methyl bromide licences
3. Essential uses licences: allow for the import, export and manufacture of CFCs, halons, methyl chloroform (CH₃CCl₃), carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), and bromochloromethane (BCMs). Such licences are only granted for a strictly limited range of essential uses, including laboratory and analytical uses, approved by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.
   • More about essential uses licences
4. Used substance licences: allow for the import and export of used or recycled chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), methyl chloroform (C₂H₃Cl₃), methyl bromide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs) methyl bromide (CH₃Br), bromochloromethane (CH₂BrC₁), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃).
   • More information about used substance licences

Exemptions

Some imports may be exempt from licensing requirements. Check whether your import activity qualifies for an exemption before applying for a licence, as the licence application fee is not refundable.

The Act and Regulations do not allow the National EPA to refund licence application fees. This includes situations where you apply for a licence and later decide you no longer need it.

• More information about Exemptions

Records to be kept by licensees

If you hold a licence under the Act, you must keep records as required by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995.

Licence holders must submit a report to the National EPA every 6 months. The report must include the type and amount of ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases manufactured, imported or exported.

Equipment licence (EQPL) holders must report the type and amount of ozone-depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases imported in equipment.

You do not need to submit a report if you did not import or export any ozone-depleting substances or synthetic greenhouse gases during the reporting period.

Reports can be submitted at any time during the reporting period and up until 11:59 pm on the 30th day after the reporting period ends.

Note: If the reporting due date falls on a weekend or public holiday, you can submit your report by 11:59 pm on the next business day.