The New Zealand government is moving ahead with the introduction of a regulated product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants.
The Product Stewardship Scheme targets some of NZ’s most harmful greenhouse gases.
Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants chair, Richard Lauder, said the decision is a key milestone for both environmental stewardship and industry leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand as it will help the country meet its international climate obligations.
“Regulation will help prevent avoidable emissions, lift standards across the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration sector, and support New Zealand to meet its international obligations under the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment,” he said.
Emissions from the discharges of synthetic refrigerant gases account for around two per cent of New Zealand’s total emissions.
“These gases are highly potent, and unlike many other emissions sources, much of this harm is avoidable – refrigerant emissions are largely preventable and arise primarily from leaks and poor end-of-life management,” Lauder said.
The Trust will be operating New Zealand’s second-ever regulated product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act.
The regulated scheme will focus on lifting performance across the sector by supporting better handling, recovery and destruction practices, and by backing the professionalism, capability and credibility of HVACR and automotive practitioners.
“This is about taking responsibility for gases that can do enormous harm if they are not properly managed – up to 12,000 times more potent than CO2,” he said.
“This is also about recognising the professionalism of an industry that wants high standards, clear accountability and a scheme that reflects the essential role it plays in New Zealand’s transition.”
The Government is progressing the regulations and the regulated product stewardship scheme is expected to begin by May 2027.
The scheme has been co-designed with the sector and will be run by the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants.
Once regulations are confirmed, the Trust expects to add industry association representatives to its Board.
Trust CEO, Janine Brinsdon, said the move to a regulated scheme recognises both the importance of the sector and the Trust’s proven ability to help lead it.
“We have been operating a voluntary product stewardship scheme since 2010, and through our collections program we have saved 41,000 tonnes of ozone and around 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.”
Alongside the progress to a regulated scheme, she said the opening of the National Refrigerant Destruction Facility in March this year means harmful synthetic refrigerants can be destroyed in New Zealand for the first time – rather than shipping them offshore.
“We’re looking forward to working with the sector and other key stakeholders to deliver a regulated scheme that matches the importance of this task – protecting the environment, strengthening sector standards, and helping New Zealand meet its international commitments,” she said.
The Trust will soon work with key sector stakeholders to form a working group to contribute to the development of the regulated product stewardship scheme during the implementation and onboarding stages.
HVACR and automotive professionals can provide input to the working group through their industry associations.
More information will be made available when the Ministry for the Environment finalises regulations for the product stewardship scheme.