Singapore Singapore details GHG goods control with four Orders under EPMA

Singapore details GHG goods control with four Orders under EPMA

On March 31, 2022, the National Environmental Agency (NEA) of Singapore promulgated four Orders to implement the Environmental Protection and Management Act, as amended (hereinafter “EPMA”). Under these Orders, the “GHG goods,” which require greenhouse gases during their use or operation, are clearly specified. Specifically, the regulated GHG goods are air conditioners, chillers, and refrigerators. Under Part 10A of the EPMA, supply of and import for own use of such GHG goods are regulated. Under these Orders, global warming potential (GWP) limits for such products are also set. These Orders will become effective on October 1, 2022.

The original texts of these Orders can be viewed at:

Environmental Protection and Management (Prescribed Regulated Goods) Order 2022
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EPMA1999-S272-2022/Uncommenced/20220404100525?DocDate=20220331&ValidDt=20221001&WholeDoc=1

Environmental Protection and Management (Greenhouse Gases) Regulations 2022
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EPMA1999-S271-2022/Uncommenced/20220404100523?DocDate=20220331&ValidDt=20221001&WholeDoc=1

Environmental Protection and Management (Regulated Goods — Exemption) Order 2022
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EPMA1999-S273-2022/Uncommenced/20220404100528?DocDate=20220331&ValidDt=20221001&WholeDoc=1

Environmental Protection and Management (Regulated Goods and Registered Suppliers) Regulations 2022
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/EPMA1999-S274-2022/Uncommenced/20220404100531?DocDate=20220331&ValidDt=20221001&WholeDoc=1

 

The original text of Part 10A of the EPMA can be viewed at:
https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Acts-Supp/24-2021/Published/20211029?DocDate=20211029&WholeDoc=1

 

In the following, each of these Orders will be explained.

Environmental Protection and Management (Prescribed Regulated Goods) Order 2022

This Order clarifies the scope of regulated GHG goods. The GHG goods whose supply is regulated are air conditioners, chillers, and refrigerators; whereas the GHG goods whose importation for own use is regulated are chillers. Specifically, the regulated products are stipulated as follows.

  • Single‑phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower that is not a single‑phase variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air‑conditioner
  • Single‑phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (non‑inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower
  • Electrically driven water-cooled chiller with a cooling capacity of 1,055 kW or more that is used for one or more purposes that include producing chilled water for air-conditioning
  • Single‑phase refrigerators with an adjusted volume of up to 900 liters

On and after October 1, 2022, to supply any of these regulated products or import any of them for own use, the GWP limits must be adhered to and such products must be registered. However, exemptions for some GHG goods are also provided depending on the date of manufacture, date of importation, date of contract, etc.

Environmental Protection and Management (Greenhouse Gases) Regulations 2022

This Order clarifies the definition of greenhouse gases (GHG) under the EPMA. For the purpose of the EPMA, the following substances defined as GHGs in the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

(a)   water vapor (H2O);

(b)   carbon dioxide (CO2);

(c)   nitrous oxide (N2O);

(d)   methane (CH4);

(e)   ozone (O3);

(f)   halocarbons and other chlorine- and bromine-containing substances dealt with under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (adopted in Montreal in 1987 and subsequently adjusted and amended in London in 1990, Copenhagen in 1992, Vienna in 1995, Montreal in 1997 and Beijing in 1999);

(g)   sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons

In addition, the following substances, described as chemical formulas in parentheses, are also specified as GHGs under the EPMA.

  • Isobutane (HC(CH3)3)
  • (E)-1-Chloro-3,3,3-trifluoroprop-1-ene (trans-CF3CH=CHCl)

Environmental Protection and Management (Regulated Goods—Exemption) Order 2022

This Order designates “specified greenhouse gases” as halocarbons and other chlorine- and bromine-containing substances that are referred to in the Environmental Protection and Management (Greenhouse Gases) Regulations 2022. For the specified greenhouse gases, some requirements, including mandatory compliance with GWP limits and requirements for GHG goods as set forth in Part 10A, Division 2 of EPMA.

Environmental Protection and Management (Regulated Goods and Registered Suppliers) Regulations 2022

This regulation sets forth the GWP limits with which regulated GHG goods must comply, as well as details of supplier registration required prior to product registration and supply of products. Registration must be made via an electronic application service provided on the NEA website (http://www.nea.gov.sg). When applying for product registration, the following documents must be attached and the registration fee specified in the Second Schedule must be paid.

– A test report on regulated GHG goods issued by a specified laboratory

– A technical data sheet on regulated GHG goods issued by a specified laboratory or importer or manufacturer of the regulated GHG goods.

The GWP limits applicable to regulated GHG goods are stipulated as follows.

Regulated goods

GWP Limit

1. Electrically driven water-cooled chillers with a cooling capacity of 1,055 kW or more 15
2. Single-phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower, that is not a single-phase variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioner 750
3. Single-phase non-ducted room air-conditioner (split type (non-inverter)) with cooling capacity of 17.6 kW or lower 750
4. Single-phase refrigerator with an adjusted volume of up to 900 liters 15

Author / Responsibility

AOKI Kenji

Senior Consultant, EnviX Ltd.
General Director, E&H Consulting Co., Ltd.

Business Performance

Expertise in EHS (environment, health and safety) consulting in ASEAN region.
- Environmental regulations updating
- Chemical regulations consulting

Background

MSc in Earth Science, The University of Tokyo

AOKI Kenji