Events and Exhibitions
DISPOSAS — TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN?
It was decided that the disposa ban proposal will be dealt with as
a separate issue. DEA said they will keep updating stakeholders
regularly as to progress. But they first want to do independent
studies as to the social and economic impact of banning these
refrigerant canisters.
The due date for a resolution will be 2021 and they requested
any info or studies to be shared with the department to aid them
in making their decision.
HFC MANAGEMENT
COMPLIANCE MONITORING
Government reported that no new CFC complaints were received
in this quarter but requested once more to be informed of any
illegal/suspicious activity. RACA
Do you want to attend?
The next meeting is scheduled to take place on
26 June 2019. These meetings are open to any industry
stakeholders and usually take place at the DEA offices in
Pretoria. Do you have a vested interest in any of these issues? If
so, stop by the next time.
The DEA confirmed that the Kigali Amendment ratification was
supported in parliament. But the portfolio committee couldn’t set
up a quorum, and as such, it was postponed for now.
They will however be starting with the reporting this year
still, giving feedback on HCFC consumption. South Africa is still
subject to reporting requirements under the Kigali Amendment,
which came into effect as of 1 January this year even though we
haven’t ratified yet.
DEA presented a couple of slides on the HFC consumption
for 2015–2018. However, these figures were based on DEA’s
recommendations and not the actual import figures from the
South African Revenue Services (SARS). As the tariff classification
headings of HFCs and HFC blends were only recently
promulgated by the minister of finance, these official figures will
only be available at a later time.
The permitting system was also discussed, and DEA gave
feedback that they have been requesting HFC figures from
exporters and importers but with limited success (only 50% have
complied and submitted their figures).
The presentation looked at importing/exporting trends of HFCs
and HFC blends, showing that in all three years (2015–2018),
R134a was by far the most popular import (48% of imports), with
R404a coming in second (22%) and then R410a. In terms of our
exports, 85% is accounted for by R134a.
DEA noted that HFC consumption is expected to decrease in
the near future once the Kigali Amendment comes into effect.
But the most important thing is to finally see what exactly our
consumption is, now that we have new tariff headings. This is
crucial so we can assess just how big the problem is (and how
much work the phase-down will require).
It was noted that low global warming potential (GWP)
refrigerants such as R600a and R290 are being imported, but
these need to be quantified.
Government reported that the development of the HFC
phase-out management plan and HFC regulations are currently
on hold. Step one is the ratification of the Kigali Amendment.
(If) When South Africa ratifies the Kigali Amendment, we will have to phase down HFCs according to the blue line, showing
the schedule for Article 5 countries (green being for non-Article 5 countries).
www.hvacronline.co.za
RACA Journal I June 2019
25