Cold Link Africa Jul/Aug 2016 Vol 1 No 6 | Page 11

NEWS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN

HCFC update from UNIDO

#HCFCs

By Tsegahiwot Belachew*

T

he Montreal Protocol (MP)
on substances that deplete
stratospheric ozone, is an
international agreement designed to
protect the ozone layer by phasing out
the production of numerous chemicals
that are responsible for ozone depletion.
The Multilateral Fund, established in 1991
for the implementation of the Montreal
Protocol (MP), is dedicated to reversing
the deterioration of the earth's ozone layer.
The fund was founded to assist developing
countries meet their MP commitments. An
executive committee manages the fund
with equal membership from developed
and developing countries. Since 1991, the
fund has approved activities including
industrial conversion, technical assistance,
training and capacity building worth more
than USD3‑billion.
Nevertheless, the realisation of phaseout activities and compliance monitoring
of phase‑out targets are ultimately the
responsibility of the governments that are
parties to the protocol. Worldwide there are
currently 196 parties to the protocol. South
Africa, as a party to the protocol, has been
taking measures to implement the phasingout of ozone depleting substances (ODS) in
sectors such as refrigeration, air conditioning
and rigid Polyurethane foam production.
Quota systems and complete bans on
ODS have been put into practice since
2014 in the attempt to decrease ODS in the
atmosphere.
United Nations Industrial Development
Organisation (UNIDO), as the lead MP
implementation agency in South Africa for
the Multilateral Fund, works closely with the
South African National Ozone Unit (NOU)
within the Department of Environmental
Affairs. It is vital that industry and

government collaborate to bring about
the desired outcome of ODS reduction,
and eventual elimination. Previous activities
undertaken by NOU, together with UNIDO
to support compliance and monitoring,
include training of the South African
Revenue Services (SARS) customs officers in
the identification of illegal refrigeration. In
2015, more than 90 officers were trained in
five different land and sea border ports.
Currently, UNIDO activities under the
Montreal Protocol Branch (MPB) in South
Africa include continued support to the
NOU in monitoring and compliance
activities; supporting industry in converting
to alternative non-ODS technologies; and
technical training. The assistance to SMEs
has been both in technical and monetary
aid form and continues to constitute a large
component of UNIDO’s MPB activities in
South Africa. Going forward, UNIDO aims to
continue its support to the government of
South Africa in its commitment to following
the agreed phase‑out as detailed below:
• Freeze consumption in 2013; baseline
consumption taken from 2009 to 2010
• Reduce 10% by 2015
• Reduce 35% by 2020
• Reduce 67.5% by 2025
• Allow 2.5% annual consumption during
2030–2040.
South Africa, as an Article 5 country, has a
different phase‑out schedule to non‑Article
5 countries (like the US and most countries
in Europe). The phase‑out schedules are
unlike, naturally taking into account the
different industrial capacities of Article 5 and
non‑Article 5 countries. As shown in Table A,
the government of South Africa has put into
place deadlines to comply with the agreed
terms of reduction in the MP.

Action

Date

Quota system for the assignment of import licenses for all HCFC

1 January 2013

Ban on import of HCFC-141b either in pure form as a component
of blended chemicals; for the purpose of placing on the market or
use in the production of polyurethane foams or as solvents or any
other application

1 January 2016

Ban of import of any new or used air-conditioning systems or
equipment t fitted with a compressor and pre charged or partially
charged with HCFC-22 or any refrigerant or refrigerant blend
containing any HFCFC

1 July 2014

Ban on the use of HCRC-22 (or any other refrigerant containing
HCFCs) either in pure form as a component of blended
refrigerants; in the construction, assembly or installation of any
new refrigeration or air-conditioning system or equipment which
requires a compressor to be fitted in South Africa

1 January 2015

Mandatory recovery and recycling of HCFCs and other ODS
refrigerant

1 September 2014

License/certification required for anyone purchasing refrigerant

1 January 2015

Table A: The gazetted HCFC phase-out schedule for South Africa.
Two of the biggest industries contributing
to the consumption of ODS in South Africa
are HVAC&R and rigid polyurethane
(PU) foam production. Some of the big
players in this industry, have already
converted to their chosen non‑ODS
alternative technology. UNIDO has also
been focusing on smaller SMEs in the
PU sector, by providing financial and
technical assistance for conversion to
non‑ODS alternatives in the shape of plant
conversion, machinery replacement and
so forth.
The implementation of any project
will have a host of challenges (which
is to be expected), but it is vital that

COLD LINK AFRICA • July | August 2016

both government and industry work
closely together to follow through with
the planned reduction of ODS currently
in use. The NOU has been proactive in
its continuous engagement with the
private sector and other government
bodies (for example, regularly calling
HCFC stakeholders meetings). This line
of communication and engagement is
important and ought to continue for the
foreseeable future. CLA
*Tsegahiwot Belachew is a
consultant with UNIDO’s Montreal
Protocol Branch.

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