World Ozone Day 2019

OZONE DAY THEME: 32 YEARS AND HEALING

To assist countries in organizing activities for World Ozone Day on 16 September 2019, OzonAction is pleased to share a number of tools that can be used for this event

1. Women in the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Industry - Personal Experiences and Achievements

Refrigeration and air-conditioning are crucial for our health, nutrition, comfort and well-being. From prevention of food wastage to preservation of vaccines, from air-conditioning in hospitals to our homes, we increasingly rely on the advances that refrigeration has brought us. However, all around the world the sector has always been a largely male-dominated work environment. The fast-growing sector can offer a wide variety of interesting and fulfilling careers for women as well as men. UNEP OzonAction, in cooperation with UN Women, has compiled a booklet to raise awareness of the opportunities available to women and to highlight the particular experiences and examples of women working in the sector and to recognise their successes. Being aware of these experiences and the opportunities available can encourage and inspire other women to consider similar careers and support girls to seek to follow a career path in this fast growing and important sector. This inspirational document is suitable for wide outreach to the general public, to schools, training centers and those preparing for future careers. Download booklet

2. HS Codes for HFCs - Advice for Countries in Advance of the 2022 HS Code Update

The Kigali Amendment requires Parties to put into place an import and export licensing system for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 1st January 2019 (or two years later if required). To enable a licensing system to function effectively, it is important that the government is able to monitor and record imports and exports of each specific HFC individually. Import and export statistics are normally collected by customs officers using the international product nomenclature system – the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, or Harmonized System (HS). However, until the HS is revised in 2022, all HFCs are contained in a single HS code which does not allow differentiation of the individual chemicals or of mixtures. This document outlines a proactive interim approach, recommended by the World Customs Organization (WCO), to establish additional digits in the existing national HS codes to identify specific HFCs. This practical document is suitable for outreach to the customs agencies, customs officers in the field, and others involved in controlling trade in HFCs. Download document

3. Update on New Refrigerants Designation and Safety Classifications

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an update on ASHRAE standards for refrigerants and to introduce the new refrigerants that have been awarded an «R» number over the last few years and introduced into the international market. Download factsheet

4. The Path from Kigali: HFC Phase-Down Timeline

This user-friendly poster will help to keep you on track of key HFC phase-down dates. Download poster

5. Five OzonAction Mobile Apps

The following five mobile apps are designed to build your capacity and ease your work in Montreal Protocol implementation. Download the apps onto your smartphones and help others too!

The Refrigerant Identifier video series – guidance on how to identify refrigerants using a refrigerant identifier. The video series consists of short instructional videos showing how to use and maintain a refrigerant identifier. It is intended for use by Montreal Protocol National Ozone Officers, Customs and Enforcement Officers as well as technicians involved in the servicing and maintenance of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.
Access videos

Good Servicing Flammable Refrigerants Quick Guide – An interactive quick guide on good practices for Flammable refrigerants. This electronic interactive guide offers easy reference to the key safety classifications and technical properties of flammable refrigerants that are available in the market. It also provides important safety guidance for the installation and servicing of room air-conditioners designed to use flammable refrigerants. Access quick guide

What Gas?

The OzonAction "WhatGas?" application is a searchable chemicals database that allows you to quickly find information on any specific refrigerant or refrigerant blend as well as other ozone depleting substances, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and alternative chemicals. National Ozone Officers, customs and enforcement and other stakeholders will find this tool helpful. Read more and access the database

GWP-ODP Calculator

This application was designed for Montreal Protocol National Ozone Units, RSS technicians and should also be useful for other related stakeholders. This application allows you to easily convert ODP, CO-eq and metric quantities of refrigerants and other chemicals. Read more and access the calculator

Refrigeration and air-Conditioning Technician Video Series

This application consists of a series of short instructional videos on techniques, safety and best practice for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) technicians. This serves as a complementary training tool for technicians to help them revise and retain the skills they have acquired during hands-on training. Read more

4. Refrigerants Literacy e-Learning Course

The Refrigerants Literacy e-Learning Course, jointly developed by OzonAction and ASHRAE, is the first of its kind course on refrigerants for non- specialists. The course is offered to all NOUs and other stakeholders at no cost. The course is mainly designed for non-specialist in HVAC&R operation and servicing, i.e. Montreal Protocol Officers, policy makers, procurement officers, buildings owners, facility managers, etc., but is also recommended for HVAC&R engineers, consultants and technical people who wish to get an overall and holistic overview about refrigerants and its progression. Access e-learning course

5. Legislative and Policy Options to Control Hydrofluorocarbons

To follow and facilitate the HFC phase-down schedules contained in the Kigali Amendment, the Parties, including both developed and developing countries, will have to implement certain measures. This booklet contains a recommended set of legislative and policy options which the developing (Article 5) countries may wish to consider for implementation. It is intended to be a guide/tool for countries. The booklet is available for download in English, French, Russian and Spanish.

6. Cold Chain Technology Briefs