Mechanic fined for possession of illegal R134a refrigerant

AUSTRALIA: An auto mechanic in Victoria has been fined an undisclosed amount for being in possession of 26 illegal disposable cylinders of R134a refrigerant.

Inspectors from Australia’s Department of the Environment and Energy are said to have executed a search warrant on the mechanic’s business in April this year. During the search, inspectors identified and seized approximately AUD2,500 (€1,540) of R134a.

The mechanic was issued with two infringement notices for possessing refrigerant without a permit and storing refrigerant in disposable cylinders. These are offences under regulations 112(2) and 136(1) of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995. 

Australia was one of the first to ban disposable cylinders, along with the EU, India and Canada. 

The refrigerant was seized and will be destroyed.