Licences and reporting requirements for the import, export and manufacture of ODS and SGG
About licences and reporting
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) controls the manufacture, import and export of range of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) in Australia.
Specific ODS controlled are: chlorofluorocarbon (CFC); halon 1211, 1301 and 2402; carbon tetrachloride; methyl chloroform; hydrobromofluorocarbon (HBFC); hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC); methyl bromide; and bromochlormethane (BCM). Two SGG are controlled, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and perfluorocarbon (PFC).
The import, export and manufacture of these 'controlled substances', and the import and manufacture of certain products containing or designed to contain some of these substances, is prohibited in Australia unless the correct licence or exemption is held. The Act also prohibits the import and manufacture of products that contain or rely upon chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), including foams blown with CFCs.
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 and relevant subsequent Amendments. See the Register of Montreal Protocol Countries for more information.
Holders of these licences and exemptions are required to provide quarterly reports covering items such as the quantities of ozone depleting substances imported, exported or manufactured.
There are four types of licence and one exemption. Holders of licences or exemptions are required to provide periodic reports to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources.
Licence application and reporting forms
- Controlled substances licences: used to manage the import, export and manufacture of:
- Essential uses licences: Since 1996 the Act has prohibited the import, export and manufacture of CFCs, halons, methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and BCMs without an essential uses licence. Such licences are only granted for a strictly limited range of essential uses approved by the parties to the Montreal Protocol.
- Used substance licences: Since 1996 the Act has prohibited the import and export of used or recycled HCFCs, methyl bromide, BCMs, CFCs, halon, carbon tetrachloride and methyl chloroform without a used substance licence.
- Pre-charged Equipment Licences: From 1 April 2004 it is an offence under the Act to import air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that is pre-charged charged with a substance that is, or contains, an HFC or HCFC without a Pre-charged Equipment Licence.
Exemption application and reporting forms
- Section 40 exemptions: Section 40 of the Act allows exemptions from the Act's prohibition on the import and manufacture of certain products containing or designed to contain certain ozone-depleting substances. The Minister may grant exemptions where the products are essential for medical, veterinary, defence, industrial safety or public safety purposes, and where no practical alternatives are available.
Licences granted and cancelled
Under Regulation 4 of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, the Secretary may publish on the Department's website details of all licences granted and cancelled. The details are limited to the name of the licensee, the type of licence issued and the date on which it was issued or cancelled. See the list of licences granted and cancelled
More information
If you would like more information about the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act's licensing system, please contact
Ozone and Synthetic Gas Team
phone: (02) 6274 1373
email: ozone@environment.gov.au
For translating and interpretation assistance telephone 131 450
Licences
Pre-charged Equipment Licences
Refrigeration and air-conditioning
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