XN000022-1993-02-03 — Page 9

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1993

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BILL TO PROTECT OZONE LAYER INTRODUCED

A BILL WHICH ENABLES HONG KONG TO MEET ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE 1987 MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

LAYER PROTECTION

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE OZONE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID THE PARTIES ΤΟ THE PROTOCOL AT ITS COPENHAGEN MEETING IN NOVEMBER 1992 DECIDED THAT THE PHASING OUT OF HALON CONSUMPTION SHOULD BE ACCELERATED TO JANUARY 1, 1994 WHILE THAT FOR CFCS (CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS), CARBON TETRACHLORIDE AND METHYL CHLOROFORM SHOULD BE PHASED OUT BY JANUARY 1, 1996.

THE BILL WILL EXTEND THE REGULATION-MAKING POWER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO DECLARE A SCHEDULED SUBSTANCE TO BE A CONTROLLED REFRIGERANT, TO DETERMINE IF A TERRITORY COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL.

ΤΟ

IT ALSO EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR TO APPROVE THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT BE USED FOR RECOVERING OR RECYCLING A SCHEDULED SUBSTANCE, AND TO SPECIFY THE MANNER IN WHICH SUCH EQUIPMENT IS TO BE USED.

MR EASON SAID TWO REGULATIONS WOULD NEED TO BE MADE UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS) REGULATION WILL PROHIBIT THE RELEASE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OF CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS USED IN LARGE-SCALE INSTALLATIONS AND IN MOTOR VEHICLES.

"TO CONSERVE THESE SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES, THE REGULATION WILL REQUIRE THAT IN RECOVERY AND RECYCLING, APPROVED EQUIPMENT MUST BE USED. IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE THAT DURING THE SERVICING, REPAIR OR DECOMMISSIONING OF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT, RECORDS OF THE CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS BE KEPT, HE SAID.

THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (PRODUCTS CONTAINING SCHEDULED SUBSTANCES) (IMPORT BANNING) REGULATION WILL FURTHER HELP HONG KONG TO MEET ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE PROTOCOL BY PROHIBITING THE IMPORT OF CONTROLLED PRODUCTS FROM A TERRITORY WHICH IS NOT A PARTY TO THE PROTOCOL.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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