| Press
Release
Quota for ozone layer depleting substances reduced
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) announced today -
the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer -
that the import quota for hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) controlled
under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance would be reduced from
138.9 to 90.3 weighted tonnes starting January 1, 2004.
The Acting Principal Environmental Protection Officer, Mr Chau Chi-ming,
said that the import quota for all 34 types of HCFCs would be reduced
by 35% across the board.
"We have been making a contribution to protecting the ozone layer
and complying with the requirements for developed economies such
as the European Union, the USA, Canada and Japan under the Montreal
Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer," Mr Chau said.
"We have
completely banned the import of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for local
consumption since 1996. CFCs are ozone depleting substances with
high ozone depleting potential.
"The quota reduction for HCFCs is a further move to fulfil our obligation
to join the global efforts to protect the ozone layer," Mr Chau
said.
HCFCs are used mainly for cooling and refrigerating. They have very
low ozone depleting potential and are generally regarded as the
intermediates to the final substitutes that cause no harm to our
ozone layer.
Importation of HCFCs is currently subject to a licensing and quota
control to ensure that the quantity for local consumption does not
exceed the base level of 1996.
According to the Montreal Protocol, Hong Kong should reduce in phases
local consumption of HCFCs to zero by 2030.
Mr Chau called on the public and the trades to help protect the
ozone layer by using more ozone layer friendly alternatives.
"Members of the public are welcome to contact the Air Management
Group of the EPD at 2594 6242 or 2594 6234, or visit the EPD website
at www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/olp for further details of the HCFC
quota reduction and other information related to the protection
of the ozone layer," he said.
End/Tuesday,
September 16, 2003
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