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Equivalent carbon price

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Equivalent carbon price for synthetic greenhouse gases

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Frequently asked questions

• General questions about the equivalent carbon price
• Information for importers
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Information for waste managers

Last updated: 2 July 2012

How will the equivalent carbon price on synthetic greenhouse gases affect business?

As the value of synthetic greenhouse gases will increase with the introduction of the equivalent carbon price, all businesses, including waste managers, will need to consider how their business uses, stores, supplies, services, disposes of and otherwise manages, these gases.

Businesses must continue to comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements, including relevant Australian Standards, codes of practice (such as the Australia and New Zealand refrigerant handling code of practice) and work health and safety legislation.

What are licensing requirements for handling refrigerants at point of disposal?

Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, anyone handling fluorocarbon refrigerants (including halocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and HFCs) must hold an appropriate refrigerant handling licence.

Any individual (including a repairer or dismantler) who removes fluorocarbon refrigerant from any refrigeration or air conditioning system must hold, as a minimum, a Restricted Refrigerant Recoverers Transitional Licence, which can be obtained from the Australian Refrigeration Council.

Individuals who handle fluorocarbon refrigerant without a licence are committing an offence.

Individuals who handle natural refrigerants such as hydrocarbons do not require a refrigerant handling licence under Commonwealth legislation.

Where do I get information on how to recover fluorocarbon refrigerants?

The Department has engaged Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA) to develop a free fluorocarbon refrigerant recovery training module for anyone recovering refrigerant and air-conditioning (RAC) equipment at local councils, waste transfer stations, private waste management companies, metal recyclers, automotive parts recyclers or to any other type of business that decommissions end of life equipment containing fluorocarbon refrigerant.

The refrigerant recoverer training covers recovery of fluorocarbon refrigerant from the following types of RAC equipment:

• Household refrigerators and freezers
• Household window and split system air conditioners, and
• Vehicle air conditioning systems.

The training also covers identification of, and the hazards associated with, equipment containing natural refrigerants.

The training is to be delivered on-the-job to the trainee by the employer. Employers are required to ensure trainees are equipped with the training materials and that they are readily available in the work place.

The refrigerant recoverer training module, examination material and the accompanying documentation will be made available through the ARC website.

How can technicians stay informed?

If you wish to receive updates about the equivalent carbon price for synthetic greenhouse gases you can subscribe to our News updates.