Stakeholder Meeting for HFC and HC Importers on Regulatory Updates

 

Trinidad and Tobago is signatory to the Montreal Protocol and as such regulatory controls for the import and export of ozone depleting gases are required by the country. This is currently effected through the Import and Export Negative Lists which require a license for the import and export of all refrigerant and related equipment.

 In an effort to ensure the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector is fully informed of all requirements, the National Ozone Unit held a Virtual Stakeholder Meeting to discuss the updated requirements for the import and export of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) and hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant for Trinidad and Tobago on November 9, 2020. The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Inspectorate were also present at the Meeting. A Meeting on this subject matter was also held on November 6, 2020 with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association.

 The following was noted 

• The Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Inspectorate (PTCI) ensure that all pesticides used within Trinidad and Tobago meet international standards and also ensure that the premises where these items are used and stored meet the established regulations.  Also, workers and the environment are monitored to ensure that any exposure is within established international limits.  The PTCI operates as a unit under the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division.
• The legal framework for the operations of the Inspectorate is the "Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Act, No. 42 of 1979" (Amended - Act No. 11 of 1986 and No. 2 of 2004) and its Regulations, known as the "Pesticides (Registration and Import Licensing) Regulation of 1987". HFC and HC fall under the purview of Schedule 1 of this Law.
• This Law has long been in existence and will now be implemented to assist country to meet obligations under Kigali Amendment.
• This will be an additional level of surveillance that has already been in existence. However due to Kigali Amendment, stricter enforcement will take place as January 1st, 2021. 
• From Jan 1 2021- All importers for HFC and HC will now also
  require a chemical license from PTCI for import
• This will be required by the Ministry of Trade and Industry Licensing Unit when applying for import and export license
• For certain quantities a Premise License may also be required. (PTCI will be reviewing all imports to determine marketable quantity and advise stakeholders
• The addition of PTCI does not affect existing protocols and requirements needed for Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards to process import applications. The TTBS will still be responsible for monitoring of all refrigerant, which still requires an importation license. The PTCI adds an additional level of surveillance with respect to HFCs and Hydrocarbons.
• TTBS standards, regulatory and inspection role remains the same