Post on 06-Oct-2020
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas
Program
Rachel Gregson – Ozone & Climate Protection Section
June 2020
The OPSGG Program
Imports covered by
the program
Recent Changes
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (OPSGG) Program
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
Ozone depleting substances
Synthetic greenhouse gases
Import controls
Domestic use controls
synthetic greenhouse gases - SGGs
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
ozone depleting substances - ODSs
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
halon
methyl bromide
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
… and more
Controlled substances
Import controls
Banned goods Imports with/without licence
Bulk gas quota Penalties for non-compliance
Obtaining a licence
Licence approval process can take up to 60 days
Imports without a licence can cause lengthy delays and costs to clients
Environment.gov.au/protection/ozone/customs-brokers
Customs Brokers Guide
The OPSGG Program
Imports covered by
the program
Recent Changes
IN ANY QUANTITY IN CONTAINERS FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
E.G. CYLINDERS, TANKS
REQUIRE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES LICENCE
HCFCS AND HFCS ALSO REQUIRE QUOTA
Bulk gas
REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT
FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS FOAMS CREATED WITH CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
AEROSOLS
MOTOR VEHICLES BOATS PLANES HEAVY EARTHMOVING AND FARMING
EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL SWITCHGEAR
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Commonly found in
Equipment
Exemptions to licensing requirements
Uncharged synthetic greenhouse gas
equipment (not HCFC or CFC equipment)
Importers who fall under the low volume
import threshold (SGGs only)
Personal domestic use
Temporary imports Returning goodsGoods covered by a
Status of Forces Agreement
The OPSGG Program
Imports covered by
the program
Recent Changes
HFC quota
Applies to bulk gas imports only.
Importer must hold a licence to import synthetic greenhouse gases and a quota allocation to import HFCs.
Low volume importersNo licence required for SGG equipment
Up to 25 kg of gas in equipment in a calendar year
Import ban on HCFC equipment
Limited exemptions available:
personal use may be imported without a licence
An equipment licence may be granted under limited circumstances
No longer a low volume exemption for HCFC equipment
Ban from 1 January 2020
More information at:
www.environment.gov.au/protection/ozone
Contact the Ozone Import Operations Team at:
OZONE@ENVIRONMENT.GOV.AU or OZONE@AWE.GOV.AU
02 6274 1373