The government is calling on the automotive industry to comply with new standards for air-conditioning and refrigerants.
In line with legislation, the government will begin a phase out the existing industry standard refrigerant R134a that will cease to be used in the production of new vehicles over the next few years.
This will be replaced by the R1234yf model that has been designed to lessen the impacts of global warming.
Following the end of local car manufacturing in Australia in 2017, the phase down is set to accelerate.
Refrigerants Australia executive director Dr Greg Picker has applauded the government's action to think green.
“The refrigeration and air conditioning industry actively supports a phase down of the global warming potential of HFC refrigerants over the next two decades: this both guarantees improved environmental outcomes while also giving industry long-term certainty.”
VASA president Ian Stangroome said that despite new air-conditioning technologies, new procedures will need to be adopted by autobody repairers across the industry.
“There are new technologies being rolled out for automotive air-conditioning, including R1234yf and CO2, that meet these requirements.
"New procedures, however, will need to be developed by the industry to maintain safety, ensure environmental performance, and guarantee that car owners are well looked after.”
VASA will launch a seminar series 'Future:Gas' to discuss changes to current technology and procedures. Check out the regular Cooling it feature from VASA too, in each issue of Paint & Panel to keep abreast of all these changes.