Australia’s HFC Phase Down impacts refrigerators and air conditioning units, and manufacturers of these products must be aware of the changes in policy surrounding their distribution. In this blog, we will discuss what HFC is and what these new regulations mean for providers, as well as how Helmer Scientific products are already in compliance with these regulations.
What is HFC?
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a type of man-made greenhouse gas used in air conditioning and refrigeration devices. Although they don’t damage the ozone layer, HFCs are potent greenhouse gases with very high global warming potential.
What is the HFC Phase Down?
Australia’s HFC Phase Down, introduced in January 2018, follows the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and is enforced under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. The phase-down will reduce HFC to a baseline level of 15% by the 1st of January 2036.
Key features of the program include:
- Import annual import quotas that will gradually reduce over 18 years
- Promoting the shift to low-GWP refrigerants
- Alignment with international environmental standards
Why it Matters
If your facility uses refrigeration with high-GWP refrigerants, you may face rising costs, limited supply, and compliance risks in the coming years. Planning ensures uninterrupted performance and budget predictability. It is important to note that equipment that has already been imported into Australia will not be impacted by the phase-down.
Read the official Australian Government factsheet here.
Helmer Products Are Already Compliant
Aurora Bioscience proudly offers Helmer Scientific’s medical-grade refrigerators and freezers. Both of which are fully compliant with the HFC Phase Down refrigerant standards.
- All Helmer GX Refrigerators uses R600a (isobutane)
- All Helmer GX Freezers uses R290 (propane)
These natural refrigerants have extremely low GWP and are non-toxic and non-flammable in small volumes. There’s no need to retrofit or replace with Helmer GX systems, you are already ready.
These medical-grade devices are not only efficient, but they’re engineered for compliance in healthcare and research environments, where temperature accuracy and reliability are critical.
Helmer Scientific products offer proven compliance, sustainability, and performance, helping you avoid costly changes down the track. With Australia’s HFC phase-down already progressing, now is the time to invest to future-proof cold storage with Aurora Bioscience and our Helmer Scientific product range.