Disposal of seized/confiscated cylinders filled with refrigerant gases - CBEC proposes to issue instructions
THE CBEC informs that although there is in existence a Circular no. 20/2009-Cus dated 19.06.2009 on the subject matter, the field formations are facing difficulties in disposal of refrigerant gases and, therefore, a fresh circular is proposed to be issued.
Accordingly, CBEC has issued a Draft Circular soliciting feedback/suggestions from the stakeholders for improvement/amendment in the same to make the Circular effective for speedy disposal of hazardous refrigerant gases.
As per the proposed circular, the following criteria/guidelines are prescribed for disposing of the seized/ confiscated refrigerant CFC empty/full cylinders:-
1. They should have specific permission to decant such cylinder in approved cylinders.
2. They should have facility to decant the gas, purify it and repack the gas for export.
3. The Custom authorities must take an undertaking from the producers of refrigerant gas (who are approved by CCOE to purchase and sale such material) that the gas purchased from the Customs is only for export with a valid licence and should not be delivered for domestic sales.
4. In case the CFC producers are not able to export the entire stock, they should take measures to ensure that the stockpile is destroyed as per the guidelines/procedure of Montreal Protocol. The disposal of refrigerant gases (CFCs) by incineration would also require clearance from State Pollution Control Boards and/or Central Pollution Control Board on which the Director, Ozone Cell has agreed to facilitate the approval process subject to the proposal being received through the Customs field formations/CBEC.
5. Name of the countries from where the cylinder containing such refrigerant gases were illegally imported should be intimated to the Ozone Cell, so that the National Ozone Units (NOUs) of those countries may be informed of the same to prevent further illegal import to India.
Your comments/suggestions may be sent at acmallick@nic. in
By the way, what happened to the Draft Disposal Manual? Please See 23.10.2013.
Also please read Customs - Draft Disposal Manual 2013
CBEC F.No. 711/20/2013-Cus (AS) , Dated: August 14, 2014