INDUSTRY NEWSImporting hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment

Importing hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment

Production and import of HCFCs is being phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol). Under this, the rules for importing hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) equipment were changed on 1 January 2020.

  • From 1 January 2020 importing all types of HCFC equipment (including, for example, HCFC aerosols and HCFC fire protection equipment) will be 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.
  • From 1 January 2020, an equipment licence may be granted for import of HCFC equipment only in limited circumstances.
  • From 1 January 2020 low volume imports of HCFC equipment without a licence will no longer be allowed.

For any further information regarding HCFCs and controlled substance licences, please refer to the Department of the Environment and Energy’s webpage below.
https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/ozone/licences-and-reporting/hcfcs