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Commonwealth legislation: ozone and synthetic greenhouse gases

Acts

• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 
  formerly the Ozone Protection Act 1989
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Act 1995 
  formerly the Ozone Protection (Licence Fees – Imports) Act 1995
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Act 1995 
  formerly the Ozone Protection (Licence Fees – Manufacture) Act 1995

Explanatory Memorandum

• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Legislation Amendment Bill 2003 

Regulations

• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Regulations 2004 
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Regulations 2004 
• Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 
• Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 

Substances controlled by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989

• ozone depleting substances
  • CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
  • Halon 1211, 1301 and 2402
  • Carbon tetrachloride, Methyl chloroform
  • HBFCs (hydrobromofluorocarbons)
  • HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons)
  • Methyl bromide
  • BCM (Bromochloromethane)
• synthetic greenhouse gases (where they are used as replacements for ozone depleting substances)
  • hydrofluorocarbons (HFC)
  • perfluorocarbons (PFC)

The manufacture, import and export of all these substances is prohibited in Australia unless the correct licence is held.

The Act puts in to practice Australia's international commitments under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

What industries are affected by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989?

• Refrigeration and air-conditioning
• Foam
• Fire protection
• Fumigation
• Solvents
• Aerosols
• Precision cleaning; and
• Laboratory and analytical work

Does the Act ban, or impose a quota or phase-out on HFCs or PFCs?

The Act does not put a ban, quota or phase-out on HFCs and PFCs, apart from a ban on importing HFCs in disposable containers. Rather, consistent with the objectives of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Act aims to minimise the emission of these gases.

2003 amendment to the Ozone Protection Act 1989

In December 2003, the Australian Parliament passed the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Legislation Amendment Bill 2003. This Bill amended the Ozone Protection Act 1989, now called the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, and extended its scope in three significant areas. The amended Act:

• Incorporates synthetic greenhouse gases used as replacements for ozone depleting substances into the import, export and manufacturing licence system, but without any quotas or phase-outs.
• Empowers the Australian Government to develop national end-use controls on the purchase, sale, handling and disposal of these gases, replacing current state and territory requirements.
• Allows the Australian Government to implement the Beijing Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, banning the import and manufacture of bromochloromethane, and banning trade in certain ODS with Non-protocol countries.