XN000022-1993-05-21 — Page 14

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FRIDAY, MAY 21, 1993

ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THE REQUIREMENT OF THESE REGULATIONS COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

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THE OTHER REGULATION, THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION (CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS} REGULATION, PROHIBITS THE INTENTIONAL VENTING OF CFC-BASED REFRIGERANTS FROM AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION PLANTS.

THIS WILL ONLY APPLY TO PLANTS CONTAINING A REFRIGERANT CHARGE OF MORE THAN 50 KILOGRAMS (TYPICALLY, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT) AND TO ALL MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONERS.

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'THE PURPOSE OF THIS REGULATION IS TO CONSERVATION OF CONTROLLED REFRIGERANTS THROUGH RECYCLING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

ENCOURAGE THE RECOVERING

AND

UNDER THESE REGULATIONS, ANY PERSON WHO ALLOWS OR CAUSES ANY CONTROLLED REFRIGERANT USED

INTENDED FOR USE IN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT WITH REFRIGERANT CONTENT OVER 50 KILOGRAMS OR IN A MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONER TO ESCAPE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100,000.

ANY PERSON WHO CARRIES OUT THE SERVICING, REPAIRING OR DECOMMISSIONING OF MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONERS SHALL KEEP RECORDS OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MOTOR VEHICLE AIR-CONDITIONERS SERVICED OR REPAIRED OR DECOMMISSIONED AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF REFRIGERANT ADDED OR REMOVED EACH MONTH FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS.

A PERSON WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100,000.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE NEW PHASE-OUT PROGRAMME AGREED AT THE COPENHAGEN MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL, THE IMPORT OF CFC'S FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION WILL BE REDUCED BY 75 PER CENT IN 1994 AND WILL BE COMPLETELY PHASED OUT IN 1996.

"IN VIEW OF THIS TIGHT PHASE-OUT SCHEDULE, AIR CONDITIONING PLANT OWNERS USING CFC-BASED REFRIGERANTS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR THE FORESEEABLE SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY AND POSSIBLY SHARP PRICE RISE OF THESE REFRIGERANTS.

"FOR SOME EXISTING PLANTS WHICH HAVE TO USE CFC REFRIGERANTS FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, OWNERS SHOULD MAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO CONSERVE THE REFRIGERANT BY PREVENTING THE CFC'S FROM ESCAPING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE DURING PLANT OPERATION, OVERHAUL OR MAINTENANCE AND RECYCLE FOR RE-USB, HE SAID.

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THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO ANSWER ANY ENQUIRIES RELATING TO THE PHASING OUT OF OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TWO PIECES OF NEW REGULATIONS.

THEY CAN BE REACHED ON TEL 594 6242 OR 594 6243 OR BY POST ADDRESSED TO THEIR OFFICE ON 33RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER

ROAD, WAN CHAI.

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