In Victoria, we have laws in place to help us protect the ozone layer. This includes state, national and international laws. We call this set of laws a legal framework. Its purpose is to control and regulate ozone-depleting substances (ODS).
Victoria’s legal framework on ozone-depleting substances
State
EPA’s Industrial Waste Management Policy (Protection of the Ozone Layer) (publication S193). This outlines how to minimise use and emissions of ODS.
National
The Commonwealth Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. This Act and its regulations are for industries that use ODS. It covers the management of ODS.
International
The 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. This is an international agreement that Australia has signed. It has a timetable for nations to phase out ODS.
Focuses of the legal framework
The legal framework focuses on:
- restricting the production and import of ODS
- reducing the use of ODS
- minimising emissions of ODS through better work practices, and destruction
- regulating the refrigeration, air-conditioning and fire protection industries that use ODS
- record-keeping and reporting by sellers and users of methyl bromide.
Learn more about ozone-depleting substances
The Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy has publications and resources about ODS and the law.
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) provides information to the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry. You can call ARC on 1300 884 483.
Read more about ozone
Reviewed 27 February 2020
