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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 a range of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) in Australia.

The 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.

There are four types of licences and one exemption.

1. Pre-charged equipment licences: used to import air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that contain a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) or hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC).
   • More information about pre-charged equipment licences
2. Controlled substances licences: used to import (in bulk), export and manufacture hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and methly bromide.
   • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and Perfluorocarbon (PFC) licences
   • More information about Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) licences
   • More information about Methyl bromide licences
3. 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.
   • More about essential uses licences
4. 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.
   • More information about used substance licences

Licensees are required to report the type and amount of ODS & SGG manufactured, including in pre-charged equipment exported and imported to the department every 3 months.

• Pre-charged equipment reporting forms
• Controlled substance licence (SGG) reporting form
• Controlled substance licence (HCFC) reporting form
• Essential use licence reporting form
• Methyl bromide reporting form

If you imported a scheduled substance for use as a feedstock or purchased CFCs or HCFCs in Australia with the intention of exporting it for use on board ships or aircraft you are also required to provide quarterly reports to the department. Contact the reporting officer at ozonereporting@environment.gov.au to lodge a report.

• Important information for potential exporters of CFCs or HCFCs for use on board ships or aircraft

Reports are due on the 15th day following the end of every quarter.

Reporting Period	Reports Due
1 January – 31 March	15 April
1 April – 30 June	15 July
1 July – 30 September	15 October
1 October – 31 December	15 January

About exemptions

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.

• Additional information about section 40 exemptions

List of 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.

• 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