Look at this they found another cost when importing any car from Japan.

[Guest]

From 1 April 2004 it will be an offence under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 (the Act) to import air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment that is pre-charged charged with a substance that is, or contains, a HFC or HCFC without a pre-charged equipment licence.

A pre-charged equipment licence may be granted under the Act for the import and export of pre-charged equipment effected by these requirements. A non-refundable fee, which is expected to be $3,000, applies for the grant of these licence and is payable with the application unless a waiver has been granted.

In granting a licence, the Minister will consider whether the applicant is a fit and proper person. Section 16 of the Act lists matters to which the Minister must have regard in making this decision.

An activity fee based on the quantity of substance imported is payable at the end of each quarter. The activity fees are expected to be $3,000 per ozone depleting potential tonne of HCFC and $165 per metric tonne of HFC.

A pre-charged equipment licence comes into force on the day specified on it and stays in force until the end of the licence period in which it is granted, unless it is cancelled or stops being in force for any other reason, before then. The next licence period commences on 1 April 2004 and concludes on 31 December 2005.

Examples of the types of pre-charged equipment could include:

Air conditioners:In motor vehicles.

Reporting Requirements

A detail discussion paper outlining the proposed reporting requirements for pre-charged equipment licences was distributed to industry in January 2004. Comments were sought by close of business on 20 February 2004. Reporting requirements will be finalised before the licences are issued and licensees will be advised of the reporting requirements by 1 April 2004.

Holders of a pre-charged equipment licence will be required to provide quarterly reports to the Minister that may include the following information

[Mr R32 M-Spec]

So basically your saying the government is trying to screw the car loving people again?

I thought you'd be used to it by now, I've given up arguing

[nmcmahon83]

Hmmm i think it's just saying car importers have to get one of these licences and make sure imported vehicles meet our refrigeration gases standards... costs for the importer will probably only go up $100 dollars or so... I don't think it's saying everyone who imports a car needs one of these licences

[Guest]

It means a lot for RAWS workshops, Blulk 15 year old car importers and the guy who wants to import his owm car. I have emailed the Government body and asked a few questions which I will post.

We know how low the funds in Govt departments is so how are they going to police it and all you do is get the CFC drained out of the car in Japan, like I said when I find out I will post info.

[funkymonkey]

take off the aircon pump and tank... submit the car for compliance... put the aircon back on... how hard can it be?

[Guest]

take off the aircon pump and tank... submit the car for compliance... put the aircon back on... how hard can it be?

Its not for compliance it is to get the vehicle into the country.

[The_Paladin]

i'm for any laws that will help improve the enviroment.......but i cant see the profits going to the enviroment so i think this is dodgy.......

i'd say it's just the dealer that needs to pay..........it would only hit us if you wanted to import something on your own.......just get a mate who has one of those licences and you'd be right.....

SAU designated refrigiation and air con importer?!?!?!?!

[Guest]

Read the site if you what to know why,

You have to prove it was drained legaly in Japan or that the car has the new gas in it and the is from Department of Environment and Heritage.

http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/index.html

This is an offical notice from the MTA it is serious.

- ALERT -

Important information for Importers, Exporters and Manufacturers of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) and Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGG) (Includes Vehicles fitted with Air Conditioning)

On the 5th June 2003, the Australian Government introduced a bill into the Parliament to amend the Ozone Protection Act 1989 (OPA). The new Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989 was passed by Parliament on 5 December 2003.

As a result of the introduction of this bill from 1 April 2004 any import or export of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment containing HFCs or Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs) will be prohibited without a licence.

A person or corporation undertaking these activities will be required to apply for the following licence’s to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

Controlled Substance Licence

To manufacture, import or export SGGs Refer Government web site

Essential Uses Licence

To manufacture, import or export BCMs Refer Government web site

Pre-charged Equipment Licence

This licence includes air conditioning fitted in motor vehicles containing HFCs (R134a) or HCFCs.

The application fee is $3000.00 for Pre-charged Equipment Licence and is payable at the time of lodging your application.

The application fee is non-refundable The duration of this licence will be from 1 April 2004 to 31 December 2005 Confirmation of the application fees will be provided to applicants by email, post or by accessing the Department web page at http://www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/index.html

We have expressed concern with the apparent lack of industry involvement with these changes however our immediate concern is that our members are made aware of the licensing requirements to prevent any disruption to your businesses.

The Department of the Environment and Heritage has told us that all applications should have been in by the 1 March 2004 to ensure the licence would be processed prior to 1 April. They have conceded that there may be companies that were not aware of this requirement and have agreed to deal with each case on a case by case basis.

If you fall into the category of an importer / exporter I urge your immediate attention to this issue.

[floody]

Well, if your (aussie) car has the old gas in it, you aren't allowed to refill it except with the new type, so its really no different to the roadworthiness requirements for any car currently here, at least thats my understanding?.

Sort of seems like a fair enough consideration to me.

[Duncan]

you guys all do realise that, in theory, this means you cannot import your own car without this $3k license right?

[red17]

You are right, since the point at which the aircon will be checked is before compliance (eg: at customs), it has little to do with RAWS workshops and all to do with who is importing the car. Since most personal car importers dont actually OWN the car when importing, their customers do, it seems each individual person is responsible for this $3000 licence. However, the simple way around it is to get your importer to arrange an aircon drain in Japan before the vehicle is shipped. Probably add about 100 dollars to the price of a car.

[Guest]

You are right, since the point at which the aircon will be checked is before compliance (eg: at customs), it has little to do with RAWS workshops and all to do with who is importing the car. Since most personal car importers dont actually OWN the car when importing, their customers do, it seems each individual person is responsible for this $3000 licence. However, the simple way around it is to get your importer to arrange an aircon drain in Japan before the vehicle is shipped. Probably add about 100 dollars to the price of a car.

Well the RAWS has to apply to import the vehicle to start so that isnt a problem.

The main one is bringing in 15 year old cars or using a broker to do it for you as it is in your name and it wont clear customs if you cant prove what gas is in it.

We will know more this week so I will post it.

[predator]

Ironic considering Australia was one of the only countries that didn't sign the Kyoto Agreeement.. So the way I see it the Australian Liberal Government really doesn't give a shit about the environment. So why they singling out this I don't know.

[Duncan]

Yeah, the raws bit only applies to cars bought in under SEVS. That still leave personal imports, race/rally and 15 year old to worry about.

BTW how does the govt ensure there are no HFC air cons in Australian cars :confused:

Just a little trick prompted by our friends at Toyota Australia no doubt to you guys

[The_Paladin]

Australia didnt sign the Kyoto agreement because America didnt......plain and simple, i think that's a really good point Preadator, the government dosent really give a shit about the enviroment...........but this LOOKS like an easy law to get around........

still.......a half arsed attempt at enviroment conservation is better than no attempt at all.