Call for Opinions on Reducing Use of High-GWP Refrigerants in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Sectors in Australia

Since June 27, 2024, the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has sought advice on how to reduce the use of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants in the commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment sectors. In order to promote the phase-down of the HFC (hydrofluorocarbon), the use of R404A refrigerant used in commercial refrigeration equipment is expected to become a problem in the future, so DCCEEW is trying to limit it. Options under consideration include restrictions on the import and manufacture of new commercial refrigeration equipment using R404A, and restrictions on the import and use of R404A.

An online interactive webinar for stakeholders to discuss measures to reduce high GWP refrigerant emissions is scheduled for July 23 and July 25, 2024. The deadline for submission of opinions is August 8, 2024.

Consultation Paper

In the process of calling for opinions, a consultation paper was issued with the following contents. The current situation, future forecasts, and the issue of transition to low-GWP refrigerants were organized, and proposals were made to increase the pace of transition to low-GWP refrigerants in the commercial refrigeration equipment sector and to smoothly implement the phase-down of HFCs. The call for opinions is specifically set for each detailed item of the proposals.