New requirements for importing and monitoring refrigerants

Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Nadita Ramachala from the Standardisation Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) have teamed up again to produce another article that was featured in the Business Day section of the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper on Thursday 8th August, 2013.

The article entitled "New requirements for importing and monitoring refrigerants" gives an overview of the national consultation on the introduction of labeling requirements for importing and monitoring the use of refrigerants  in Trinidad and Tobago. The national consultation took place at TTBS's Head Office in Macoya on July 15, 2013.  Representatives from the air-conditioning, refrigeration and fumigation sectors were present at the consultation as well as major importers; distributors; Government agencies and custom brokers were in attendance. 

This initiative, spearheaded through the collaboration between the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and TTBS, is intended to ensure that the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector operates in conformity with good health, safety and environmental standards as well as national efforts to address the ozone depletion. 

If you missed last week's article in the Newsday, check out the link below to view the full article:

New requirements for importing and monitoring refrigerants

Page 11, Business Day, Thursday 8th August, 2013

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper

Side event on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the 33rd Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol June 2013

Trinidad and Tobago National Ozone Officer Dr. Marissa Gowrie chaired the side event on the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) at the 33rd Open Ended Working Group of the Montreal Protocol held on 24 June 2013 in Bangkok Thailand.
 

The event hosted by UNEP OzonAction, consisted of presentations on the approaches to implementation of the Montreal Protocol in SIDS and the specials challenges faced by this group of countries. Of the 197 Parties to the Montreal Protocol, 38 are recognized by the United Nations as SIDS. The event was well attended, in fact it was oversubscribed, and there was a lot of engaging discussion on pertinent issues affecting SIDS maintaining compliance to the Montreal Protocol including technology choices, availability of alternatives  and funding restraints.

National Stakeholder Consultations on the Proposed Refrigerant Labeling Standard for Trinidad and Tobago

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources is inviting all companies and/or individuals involved in the retail, import, distribution and servicing of air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment and/or refrigerant gases to an important meeting on the proposed refrigerant labeling standard for Trinidad and Tobago.

This meeting will be held on Monday 15^th July at 10:00 am at the compound of the TTBS, Century Drive, Macoya.

Monitoring Refrigerant Imports can Save the Earth!

On Thursday 27th June, 2013, an article entitled "Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth" featured in the Business Day section in the Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday Newspaper. The article  was co-written by Dr. Marissa Gowrie, National Ozone Officer, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Nadita Ramachala from the Standardisation Division of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS).

The article gives the public an overview of the global environmental phenomena of ozone depletion caused by emissions of ozone depleting substances (ODS) such as refrigerants in the atmosphere.  It also showcases the efforts made by the National Ozone Unit to protect the ozone layer and phase out ODS ensuring the that Trinidad and Tobago meets its obligations under the Montreal Protocol. 

It also highlights the collaboration of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources in regulating refrigerants being imported and sold in the country via the development of national standards for the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry.  This alliance will ensure the improvement of these products and services while helping to guide the phasing out of refrigerants classified as ODS. 

If you missed last week's article in the Newsday, check out the link below to view the full article:

Better monitoring of refrigerant imports: Can help save the Earth

Page 19, Business Day

Trinidad and Tobago Newsday Newspaper