Ozone depleting equipment to be banned by 2020

The import and use of equipment which contain ozone depleting substances will be banned by 2020, according to Environment and Renewable Energy Minister Susil Premajayantha.

He said measures have already been taken to gradually restrict the import of such items to meet the time line. Sri Lanka has already phased out 54 out of 96 ozone depleting substances, in line with the Montreal Protocol which has been signed by 197 countries including Sri Lanka.

Phasing out Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon (HCFC), which has 40 varieties, is the main challenge that Sri Lanka is facing in meeting its target.

Sri Lanka successfully phased out Chloro Fluoro Carbon (CFC) by 2010.

As the next step, the importation of second-hand air-conditioners and refrigerators containing HCFC had been restricted. Equipment to detect ozone depleting substances on imported goods have been introduced at Sri Lanka Customs.

Minister Premajayantha said the disposal of refrigerators and air-conditioners that release ozone depleting substances including HCFC is now in progress, and that new items free of ozone depleting substances have been introduced to replace them.

He said the Ministry is focusing on the proper disposal and maintenance of such equipment to prevent environmental hazards.

He said a network meeting of the officers of the South Asian Montreal Organization will take place in Sri Lanka from May 27 to 31. The US, Australia, Japan and the European Parliament will send observer teams to the summit. International advice and cooperation on controlling ozone depleting substances in South Asia are expected at this meeting.