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What’s happening with HCFC equipment import and manufacture?
- Circumstances where importing or manufacturing equipment that contains or is designed to operate solely on hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) is allowed are now more limited.
- Importing or manufacturing most HCFC refrigeration and air conditioning equipment has been banned from 2010, except in certain circumstances.
- From 1 January 2020 importing or manufacturing all types of HCFC equipment (including, for example, HCFC aerosols and HCFC fire protection equipment) is banned, except in certain circumstances.
- This includes all equipment that uses HCFCs, even if it does not have gas in it at the time of import.
- These changes will have no impact on the import of equipment containing synthetic greenhouse gases such as HFCs.
In what circumstances can HCFC equipment be imported or manufactured under licence?
- An equipment licence may be granted that allows for import when:
- importing replacement parts for HCFC refrigeration or air conditioning equipment (this does not include a complete or substantially complete indoor or outdoor unit of a split system air conditioner), or
- importing equipment insulated with foam manufactured with HCFC, or
- the equipment is incidental to the main import, and it is impractical to remove or retrofit the equipment (for example equipment incorporated into a large boat or drilling rig).
- An equipment licence may be granted that allows for import or manufacture where:
- the equipment is essential for medical, veterinary, defence, industrial safety or public safety purposes, and no practical and effective alternative exists, or
- the equipment is for use in conjunction with the calibration of scientific, measuring or safety equipment, or
- the equipment is for test, monitoring, or laboratory and analytical use where there is no practical and effective alternative to that equipment.
In what circumstances can HCFC equipment be imported without a licence?
- The conditions for importing equipment without a licence for personal use have not changed – equipment, including HCFC equipment, may be imported without a licence if it is for personal use and has been owned by the importer for at least 12 months.
What’s happening with low volume equipment imports?
- From 1 January 2020 low volume imports of HCFC equipment without a licence are not allowed. Unless the import is for personal use, HCFC equipment can only be imported under an equipment licence, and only if it meets one of the criteria listed above.
- The low volume import conditions for synthetic greenhouse gas equipment are not changing – importers who import up to 25 kilograms of synthetic greenhouse gas (hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)), in equipment in a calendar year do not need an equipment licence.
What’s happening with HCFCs used for servicing?
- From 1 January 2020, bulk HCFC imported into Australia can only be used to service existing fire protection, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment (equipment that was manufactured or imported before 1 January 2020), or for laboratory and analytical purposes as detailed below.
- HCFC refrigerant reclaimed from equipment in Australia can be used for servicing any HCFC equipment, as long as it meets the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure its quality.
HCFCs used for laboratory and analytical purposes
- HCFCs imported into Australia from 1 January 2020 can now be used for laboratory and analytical purposes that are consistent with the Montreal Protocol.
- This change to the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, made in August 2020, provides for ongoing access to HCFCs to allow essential scientific research and analytical work to continue in Australia.