Sri Lanka issues special notice on import control of HFC based refrigerants 
As confirmed in late November 2020, the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka had issued a Special Notice on import control of HFC based refrigerants. This Notice refers to the following matters.
- In accordance with the regulations mandated under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, it is necessary to obtain a license from the Department of Import and Export Control in order to import HFC series refrigerants.
- Under the Montreal Protocol, the average total quantity of HFC-based refrigerants imported to Sri Lanka during the period of 2020 to 2022 will be considered as a baseline for the HFC quota given to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka will not be able to import HFC-based refrigerants beyond the determined quota after 2024.
- However, there is no control mechanism applicable to the quantity of HFC-based refrigerants to be imported in the period of 2020 to 2022, and no National Ozone Unit (NOU) recommendations have been issued regarding the requirement to obtain a license necessary for imports.
- From 2024, the issuance of licenses to importers will be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Import and Export Control.
- The new HS codes for HFC series refrigerants have already been published in a Notification dated June 30, 2020 (2018/10).
- The Ministry of Environment has formulated a plan to reduce the use of HFC-based refrigerants in a phased and systematic manner over the period of 2024 to 2045. The Ministry of Environment will also take appropriate measures for the introduction of alternative refrigerants to replace HFC-based refrigerants.
- The future moves and further information can be obtained from Air Resource Management and National Ozone Unit (Tel: 0112034221/0112034222, E-mail: noulanka@gmail.com).
The original text of the Special Notice can be downloaded from the following URL (in English).
http://env.gov.lk/web/images/pdf/notices/2021/Controlling_imports_of_hydrofl_uorocarbons_HFCs_series_refrigerants_-_English.pdf
