The main obligations that Vanuatu has as a party is to phase out the use of some of the substances (called “ozone depleting substances”, or ODS) under this MEA, or stop its use altogether(some ODS are exempted from such measures and can still be used).Vanuatu is also required to report annually the use (if any) of any ODS, and set up a licensing system for the import and/or export of ODS.
Officers who attended the ODS training
ODS have the ability to deplete the ozone layer. Examples of ODS are: Cholorofluorocarbons (CFC), Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), Halons, Carbon tetrachloride, and Methyl Bromide. In developing countries, such as Vanuatu, the largest sector in which ODS are still used is refrigeration and air conditioning. Other areas that ODS can be used are as blowing agents- for foam applicants, Cleaning solvents- electronics industry & in dry cleaning, fire-fighting agents, fumigants- controlling pests, quarantine and pre shipment and for analytical reagents in laboratories
The Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) is the main implementing agency for the Montreal Protocol. The National Ozone Unit (NOU) was set up within the DEPC to carry out implementation activities for the Montreal Protocol.
The DEPC facilitated a Customs Border Control training on September 4 2014. The training is part of an activity that aims to assist the DEPC’s implementation partners under the Montreal Protocol, to control and monitor the import of ozone depleting substances (or ODS) and related equipment into Vanuatu. ODS, can be found in refrigeration equipment, such as those in domestic refrigerators, freezers, chillers, and ice machines. ODS can also be found in air conditioning units, such as those in buildings and in vehicles.
The annual training is aimed to provide Customs Border Officers with the skills to recognize ODS and ODS based equipment. Material covered during the training included Illegal Trade in ODS, Safe Handling of ODS and a practical session on the identification of ODS using refrigerant identifiers. Participants attending the training were Customs Border Control Officers from Port Vila and Luganville. Customs Selectivity Officers also attended the training.
At the end of the training, the DEPC handed over a refrigerant identifier worth over $6,000 to the Customs Border offices. The equipment is an incentive provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in an effort to phase out the use of certain types of ODS. The refrigerant identifiers will be used by Customs Officers, in verifying the type of refrigerant inside cylinders and ODS equipment when imported by companies in Vanuatu.
