Government announces shift in refrigerant management
Article Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Outlet | HVAC&R News |
| Byline | Mark Vender |
| Published | 2026-03-30 |
| Language | en |
| URL | https://hvacrnews.com.au/news/government-announces-shift-in-refrigerant-management/ |
한국어 요약 (Korean Summary)
전문 번역이 아닌 사실관계 요약입니다 (저작권 고려)
원문은 아래
## Original Content에 영문 그대로 보존되어 있습니다.
- 호주 연방정부가 일부 냉매를 산업화학물질 관리체계(IChEMS)로 편입시켜 신규 통제 조치를 검토한다고 발표.
- 업계는 그동안 HFC 단계적 감축 쿼터 대비 실제 냉매 설치·사용 속도가 지나치게 빠르다고 우려해왔음.
- 시장이 자연스럽게 저GWP 냉매로 전환될 것이라는 기대와 달리, 최저가 선호로 인해 고GWP 냉매가 신규 장비에도 계속 쓰이고 있음.
- 상업용 냉장에는 R404A(GWP 3,922)가 여전히 흔하고, 상업용 HVAC 는 R410A(GWP 2,088), 차량은 R134a(GWP 1,430) 사용을 허용 중 — 이들 모두 수입 쿼터 축소로 공급이 줄고 있으며, 2026년 말까지 심각한 품귀가 예상됨.
- 대응으로 HFC 및 일부 HFO 대체제가 2026-27 IChEMS 워크플랜에 등재됨. 기충전(pre-charged) 장비 사용 제한 등의 조치가 검토되며, 2027년 7월 1일까지 최종 확정 예정.
- 관련 규제는 기존 HFC 수입 쿼터 제도와 병행 적용되며, 이해관계자는 ichems.enquiry@dcceew.gov.au 로 의견을 제출할 수 있음.
선정 사유 (Curation Note)
TAB(Turbo Air Brain) 사업 맥락에서 선정: Turbo Air 는 상업용 냉장·냉동고를 수입·판매하며, 제품에 사용되는 냉매(R404A, R410A, R134a 등)가 이번 규제 변화의 직접 대상이다. HFC 수입 쿼터 축소 + IChEMS 워크플랜 등재로 2026년 말까지 주요 냉매의 acute shortage 가 예상된다는 점은 제품 라인업(저GWP 냉매 전환)과 공급 원가에 직접 영향을 줄 수 있다.
Original Content
The federal government has announced that some refrigerants will now be managed under the framework for industrial chemicals, with the potential for new control measures.
In recent years, the Australian HVAC&R industry has voiced serious concerns about the rate at which refrigerant is being installed and used compared to quotas allowed under the HFC phase-down schedule.
The phase-down was designed with the expectation that market forces would gradually shift the industry toward refrigerants with lower global warming potential (GWP). However, lack of awareness among end users and preference for lowest first cost has resulted in “stubborn” refrigerants remaining in circulation and new equipment.
In commercial refrigeration, R404A (GWP 3,922) remains prevalent. Commercial HVAC systems frequently use R410A (GWP 2,088), and Australia’s import regulations still permit vehicles with R134a (GWP 1,430) systems. Due to their high GWP and Australia’s diminishing HFC bulk import quota, these refrigerants face increasingly limited availability. Industry experts anticipate acute shortages by end of 2026.
The federal government acknowledged stakeholder concerns, stating: “Many of you have provided input. We have heard that action across many equipment categories…are high priorities.”
In response, HFCs and certain HFO alternatives have been added to the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (IChEMS) workplan for 2026-27. The government will consider new measures to manage environmental risks of these chemicals across the board, rather than addressing individual refrigerants and equipment classes.
Possible measures may include restrictions on HFC uses in pre-charged equipment. These measures will be finalized by July 1, 2027, with implementation following thereafter under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
Stakeholders can provide feedback by subscribing to IChEMS updates at ichems.enquiry@dcceew.gov.au. These measures will apply alongside existing HFC import quota requirements.