Vienna Convention | 1992-10-27 | Ac |
Montreal Protocol | 1992-10-27 | Ac |
London Amendment | 1993-05-04 | Ac |
Copenhagen Amendment | 2003-10-07 | Ac |
Montreal Amendment | 2013-11-12 | Ac |
Beijing Amendment | 2013-11-12 | Ac |
Kigali Amendment | 2024-11-12 | R |
Parties are invited to report to the Ozone Secretariat fully proved cases of illegal trade in ozone-depleting substances.
Party | Seizure Date Year | Substances Traded | Volume | Importing Exporting Country | Illegal Trade Details | Action Taken | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Papua New Guinea | 27 July, 2021 | HCFC-22 | 544kg | From China to Papua New Guinea | The HCFC-22 was declared correctly while the current importer claiming unaware of import restrictions, was not Authorized and did not possess an Environment Permit to Import HCFC-22. Through documentation checks a Customs Officer who had undergone NOU Customs trainings identified the HCFC-22 and informed the NOU accordingly. | Upon reporting to the NOU the Customs officer was advised to detain the consignment for further investigation and action. Upon investigation, it was found that the company was previously informed of the restrictions in a previous incident of illegal import. The Environment Authority penalized the company by: i.Confiscating the 544kg of imported HCFC-22; ii.Charged the company a penalty fine of PGK50,000.00; iii.Issued a second warning indicating that a 3rd contravention would result in the matter being taken to court and the Authority suspending the company’s Mining Permit. | 1. It is important to provide updated information and training to Customs officers. 2. It is good for the NOU having access to the Customs Asycuda system. 3. The engagement of a lawyer from the Department of Justice to be on call for such cases is recommended. 4. Updated laws and regulations for better controlling of ODS. 5. Establishing an E-permitting system will contribute to limiting illegal trade. |
Papua New Guinea | 30 June, 2020 | HCFC-22 | 1,496Kg | From China to Papua New Guinea | The HCFC-22 was declared correctly while the importer claiming to be unaware of Import Restrictions, was not Authorized and did not possess an Environment Permit to Import HCFC-22. Through documentation checks a Customs Officer who had undergone NOU Customs trainings identified the R22 and informed the NOU accordingly. | Upon reporting to the NOU the Customs officer was advised to detain the consignment for further investigation and action. Upon investigation and confirmation of HCFC-22 quantities the company was issued a warning and direction to apply for a one-off permit for the imported quantity. | 1.The main learning from this event was to ensure regular communication with Customs officers. 2. More awareness needs to raise on import requirements, and e-permitting will assist with limiting illegal imports. 3.Penalizing companies that import illegally will serve as an example to others and encourage them to comply. The practice of letting companies off with a warning and issuing permits upon arrival of consignments is not appropriate as it is indirectly promoting this behaviour and contradicts the local Prior Consent Approval requirements that are part of the import process. 4.It is important to act quickly in such cases to ensure response and relevant investigations are in compliance with Customs regulations/policies on consignment detainment and clearance etc. |
The Multilateral Fund: US$2,819,629
The Multilateral Fund is the financial mechanism of the Montreal Protocol and provides financial and technical assistance to Article 5 (developing) countries to enable their compliance with the Protocol’s control measures.The Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund has approved funding to Papua New Guinea in the amount of US$2,819,629 as of 2024-05-31. This includes the funding for current ongoing projects (including agency fees):
Title | Implementing agency | Approved funding ($US) |
---|---|---|
HFC phase-down related projects | Germany | 146,900 |
HCFC phase-out management plan (HPMP) | Germany | 486,330 |
Total | 633,230 |
As at 2022-12-31, US$2,470,229 had been disbursed.
This information is provided by Multilateral Fund Secretariat. For more information please refer to the Multilateral Fund website