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Press
Releases - 1998
Applications
for Hydrochlorofluorocarbons quota invited
The Environmental
Protection Department (EPD) today (Friday) invites applications
for quota to import Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), an ozone
depleting substance commonly used as refrigerant, for local
consumption in 1999.
The quota
system was introduced to control the local consumption of
HCFCs in order to fulfill Hong Kong's international obligations
under the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer.
"According
to the Protocol, the HCFCs quotas for Hong Kong in 1999 should
be capped at 2,526 tonnes in terms of the most commonly used
refrigerant HCFC-22," Principal Environmental Protection Officer
Mr Pang Sik-wing said.
"Forty
per cent of the total available quotas for 1999 are allocated
as free quotas in two phases. Half of these will be allocated
in this exercise. The remaining quotas will be allocated in
the Phase 2 allocation exercise in mid-1999," he said.
Applications
for free quotas are open to all companies which have registered
under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance. Allocations will
be made on a need basis.
Importers
with proven records of retained imports of HCFCs using normal
and free quotas in 1998 are automatically allocated with normal
quotas.
"Hong
Kong's consumption of HCFCs would be reduced in phases to
zero by the year 2030 according to the schedule of the Protocol,"
he added.
Applications
for the Phase 1 free quotas should be submitted in person
to EPD's Air Management Group, 33rd floor, Revenue Tower,
5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong by 5 pm on December
30, 1998. Late applications will not be accepted.
Application
forms are available at the above address. For further details,
please contact the Air Management Group on 2594 6242 or 2594
6234.
End/Friday,
November 27, 1998
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