High in the atmosphere, ozone protects the earth from harmful UV radiation. Air pollutants that damage the ozone layer are called ozone depleting substances.
Australia has phased out production of most ozone depleting substances. However, they are still used in:
- aerosols
- fire extinguishers
- foams
- fridges and air conditioners
- fumigation of soil and goods for import or export.
Ozone depleting substances include:
- bromochloromethane (CH2BrCl)
- carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)
- chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
- halon
- hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs)
- hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs)
- methyl bromide (CH3Br)
- methyl chloroform (CH3CCl3).
Ozone depleting substances and the law
The general environmental duty applies to managing emissions containing ozone depleting substances.
There are laws to control and regulate ozone depleting substances and protect the ozone layer. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water(opens in a new window) regulates these laws.
Businesses must control ozone depleting substances from their activities to:
- prevent harm
- comply with the general environmental duty
- meet community expectations.
Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 (Cth), businesses may need to get a licence to conduct activities that produce ozone depleting substances, such as refrigeration and air conditioning. The Australian Refrigeration Council(opens in a new window) (ARC) administers the licensing scheme on behalf of the Australian Government.
The Environment Protection Regulations 2021(opens in a new window) sets out requirements for using and managing methyl bromide for non-quarantine and pre-shipment uses – for example, in fumigation for pest and disease control.
In some cases, you must get our permission to conduct a business or industry activity that involves ozone depleting substances. Our permissions focus on activities that may have a significant impact on human health and the environment. Permissions have legal conditions that must be followed. These may include conditions to manage ozone depleting substances.
Our role in ozone depleting substances
We enforce the general environmental duty and the Environment Protection Regulations.
Impact of ozone depleting substances on your health
Ozone depleting substances damage the ozone layer. The ozone layer protects the earth from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Too much UV radiation causes skin cancer. It also harms the environment, ecosystems and crop production.
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