LATEST CIRCULARS AND NEWS ON OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
CONTROL OF OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are controlled as hazardous substances under the Environmental Protection and Management Act. The import and export of controlled ODS are regulated under the Environmental Protection and Management (Ozone Depleting Substances) Regulations.
Singapore shares worldwide concern in reducing consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS) and help preserve the stratospheric ozone layer, for a safe and healthy environment.
To signify her commitment to reduce consumption of ODS and protect the ozone layer, Singapore became a party to the Montreal protocol on 5 January 1989. On 2 March 1993, Singapore also acceded to the 1990 London Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and subsequently to the Copenhagen Amendment and the Montreal Amendment on 22 Sep 2000.
Singapore has adopted a multi-pronged approach to reduce and eventually phase out the consumption of ODS.
In accordance with the phasing out schedule as set out under these international agreements, Singapore implemented control measures to phase out ODS. The control measures implemented by Singapore are summarised in the table below.
| Date |
Measure |
| 5 Oct 1989 |
Quota Allocation System implemented for Chorofluorocarbons (CFCs). |
| 5 Feb 1991 |
Prohibit the import and manufacture of non-pharmaceutical aerosol products and polystyrene sheets/products containing controlled CFCs. |
| 1 Jan 1992 |
(a) Prohibit the use of Halon 1301 for new fire protection systems.
(b) Prohibit the import of Halon 2402. |
| 1 Jan 1994 |
Prohibit the import of Halon 1211 and Halon 1301. |
| 1 Jan 1993 |
Prohibit the import of new air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment using CFC 11 and CFC 12. |
| 15 Apr 1994 |
Prohibit the import of fire-extinguishers filled with Halon 1211. |
| 1 Jan 1995 |
All new cars must be equipped with non-CFC air-conditioning systems. |
| 1 Apr 1995 |
Prohibit the import of HBFCs. |
| 1 Jan 1996 |
Prohibit the import of CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (Methyl Chloroform). |
| 1 Jan 2002 |
Freeze the consumption of Methyl Bromide (MeBr) for non-quarantine and pre-shipment (non-QPS) applications*. |
|
Upcoming*
1 Jan 2013 |
Freeze the consumption of HCFCs (Freeze quantity: Annual average consumption in 2009 and 2010) Phase-out consumption of HCFCs by 1 Jan 2030. |
*Note: Quarantine applications - Include treatments to prevent the introduction, establishment, and/or spread of quarantine pests, or to ensure their official control.
Pre-shipment applications - These include non-quarantine methyl bromide applications within 21 days prior to export that are required to meet the official requirements of the importing or exporting countries.
Regulations on control of ODS
The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), acting as a focal point between government agencies, is responsible for formulating strategies and policies to control the use of ODS in industries.
a) Licence to import and export controlled ODS
Control of ODS comes under the purview of the Pollution Control Department (PCD) of NEA and is regulated under the Environmental Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and the Environmental Protection and Management (ODS) Regulations 2000. Under the Act and its Regulations, a licence is required for the import and export of ODS listed in the Schedules of the Act and its Regulations. Licences are valid for one year and two years
The list of ODS controlled is in the Schedule of the EPC(ODS) Regulations 2000 (Table 3).
Applications for Hazardous Substances (ODS) Licences can be submitted online. Please review the Guidance Notes before filling out the licence application.
b) Control on Trade
Under the EPMA and its Regulations, trading of controlled ODS between a party and non-party to the Montreal Protocol is prohibited. The status of ratification of countries to the Montreal Protocol and its various amendments may be viewed at http://ozone.unep.org/Ratification_status/
http://ozone.unep.org/Ratification_status/evolution_of_mp.shtml.
(i) GOVERNMENT OF INDONESIA'S RESTRICTION ON IMPORTS OF CFCs
Following UNEP's circular on the Indonesian Government's regulation banning the importation of CFCs into Indonesia (save for 700 tonnes annually), TDB issued a circular on 30 May 2000 to inform traders of the ban.
A copy of the import permit from Indonesia's Ministry of Industry and Trade shall be produced to PCD prior to any export of CFCs to Indonesia.
c) Licensing conditions
ODS that are prohibited from use in Singapore are the CFCs, Halons and HBFCs. For these ODS, traders are only allowed to import the prohibited ODS if they are meant for re-export.
This requirement is imposed as a licensing condition and licensees are required to comply with such requirements. Failure to do so may cause the company's import and export licence to be revoked.
In addition, licensees are also required to submit electronic monthly returns to the Pollution Control department on the quantity of controlled ODS imported, sold and/or exported at the following website, http://app1.env.gov.sg/pcls/controller?event=WELCOME.
d) Declarations and Re-Debit Authorisation Form for local transaction between importers and exporters of prohibited ODS (CFCs, HBFCs, Halons).
Companies who wish to purchase prohibited ODS from local importers for export, shall prior to export, declare the intended transaction to the Pollution Control Department. Such transaction shall be made in the Declaration by Licenced Exporter of Controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) form.
Importers who wish to sell prohibited ODS to another company for export shall declare such transactions in a Re-Export Debit Authorisation of Controlled Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) form.
Relevant websites and contact information
UNEP TIE, OZONACTION Programme :
http://www.unepie.org/ozonaction/
The Ozone Secretariat :
http://ozone.unep.org/index.asp
E-mail address for queries on UNEP ODSONET/SEAP:
Junchaya@un.org
Ozonaction@unep.fr