Why do we need to manage ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases?
The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing ultra-violet (UV) radiation from the sun. UV radiation causes many problems from skin cancer and cataracts in people to damaged farm crops. The ozone layer is like sunscreen for the Earth – it reduces sunburn.
Ozone depleting substances damage the ozone layer, allowing more ultra-violet radiation from the sun to pass through and causing harm to our health. To prevent damage to the ozone layer we must tightly control and manage ozone depleting substances.
Synthetic greenhouse gases are often used to replace ozone depleting substances in refrigeration, fire fighting and other systems. They do not damage the ozone layer, but as greenhouse gases they contribute to climate change and must be controlled and managed.
What is the Department’s role?
- We implement the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Program to control the manufacture, import, export, use and disposal of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases.
- We licence the businesses and technicians who are the major end users of these gases.
- We are responsible for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs) imports in Australia from January 2018.
- We help Australia meet its obligations under the Montreal Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Our legislation
The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 and related Acts protect the environment by reducing emissions of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases. The Ozone Acts are supported by the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995, which control the major end-uses of ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases.
- Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989
- Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995
More information is available on our Legislation page