Page 10 - Climate Control News Mag October 2019

News
Its important to have the correct licence before importing equipment containing greenhouse gases or ozone depleting substances.
Companies fined for synthetic gas imports
THE DEPARTMENT OF the Environment and Energy has fined two companies and an individual for offences under the Ozone Pro- tection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Man- agement Act 1989.
A New South Wales-based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a bus with an air conditioning system containing HFC-134a, a synthetic greenhouse gas, without an appropri- ate licence.
HFC-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon – a type of synthetic greenhouse gas commonly used as a refrigerant in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, including vehicles.
Synthetic greenhouse gases trap heat in the at- mosphere, and HFC-134a has a global warming potential of 1,430, meaning it traps 1,430 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
The import into Australia of equipment con- taining these substances is prohibited unless the correct licence or exemption is held.
The company involved is a major automotive retailer and was aware of its obligations under the Act at the time it imported the bus, the de- partment said in a statement.
A Victorian-based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a pool heat pump contain- ing HFC-410A without an appropriate licence. The company was unaware of its obligations un- der the Act, the department said.
Head of the Department’s Office of Compli- ance, Monica Collins, said reducing emissions of synthetic greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances is a priority area for the Department.
“We work with the Australian Border Force to monitor and inspect imported and exported goods to ensure compliance with the Act and where appropriate undertake enforcement ac- tivities,” she said.
“Importers and customs brokers should check import requirements for synthetic greenhouse
gases or ozone depleting substances, including when they are contained in equipment, before importing or exporting goods.
“It is advisable to allow adequate time to apply for a licence or exemption as this may take up to 60 days”.
A NSW-based refrigeration mechanic has been fined $2,520 for discharging a scheduled substance, HFC-410A, while installing an air- conditioning system.
HFC-410A is a hydrofluorocarbon – a synthetic greenhouse gas commonly used as a refrigerant in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
HFC-410A has a global warming potential of 2088.
The offender holds a refrigeration and air con- ditioning permit issued by the Australian Refrig- eration Council (ARC).
Collins said the Department and ARC work to- gether to promote voluntary compliance with the Act and its regulations.
“The ARC engages widely with businesses and technicians to help them to understand and comply with their obligations. This includes the obligation not to discharge scheduled substanc- es,” she said.
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Green- house Gas Management Act 1989 controls the manufacture, import, export and use of a range of synthetic greenhouse gases and ozone deplet- ing substances in Australia.
A refrigeration mechanic was fined for discharging HFC-410A while installing an air conditioning system.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
ABB appoints country manager
SLAVKO PLANINIC HAS been appointed country managing director and head of in- dustrial automation for ABB in Australia.
Slavko’s strong leadership and extensive experience across all business lines will un- derpin ABB’s growth momentum in Austral- ia, the company said in a statement.
He succeeds Tauno Heinola who is retir- ing. With more than 30 years’ experience in ABB and having served most recently as ABB Australia’s chief financial officer, Slavko has a deep understanding of the local mar- ket and the challenges facing key industries.
“We believe industrial digitalisation and au- tomation is a tremendous
opportunity for businesses
in Australia to raise their
competitiveness globally and to play an important, decisive role for the future of this country,” Slavko said.ABBoperatesinmore than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees.
Australian managing director, Slavko Planinic.
Migration review
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT commenced a review of the skilled migration occupation lists last month and is seeking feedback from stakeholders particularly in regional areas.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash, said the review was to ensure it remained re- sponsive to genuine skill needs and regional variations across Australia.
She said the government’s skilled migra- tion policies were underpinned by the princi- ple that Australian workers are considered first for jobs.
Minister for Immigration, David Coleman, said the government has allocated 23,000 re- gional migration places, introduced two new regional visas and signed Designated Area Migration Agreements around the country to attract migrants to regional areas to help towns grow.
The government is also working to fill some of the 60,000 job vacancies in regional Australia.
The next update to Australia’s skilled mi- gration occupation lists is scheduled to be announcedinMarch2020. ✺
10