Brunei Complies With Montreal Protocol
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Brunei Darussalam has complied with the Montreal Protocol to wipe out the use of Ozone Depleting Substances (including chlorofluorocarbons called CFC) by year 2010 by restricting the importation of such substances in 2005 and 2006.

The landmark international agreement is designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer that protects life on earth from harmful solar ultraviolet radiation.

Awang Haji Mohd Zakaria bin Haji Sarudin, Director of Environment, Parks and Recreation. Ministry of Development, in his welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony for National Train the Trainer Workshop for Customs officers on monitoring and controlling of Ozone Depleting Substances, yesterday morning, also said that according to statistics, Brunei imported 39.12 metric tonnes of Ozone Depleting Substances in 2005 and 26.5 metric tonnes in 2006, both in line with the guideline of 39.12 metric tonnes set by the Montreal Protocol.

"Brunei has successfully maintained its state of compliance on Ozone Depleting Substances as stated in the Montreal Protocol. It is hoped the state of compliance will continue until the deadline to completely eliminate its use in the country by 2010," he said.

"The success in controlling the quantity of Ozone Depleting Substances imported into the country conies from the joint cooperation between the Environment, Parks and Recreation Department as the National Ozone Unit and the Royal Customs and Excise Department. The Customs officers act as an agency that plays a vital role in controlling, monitoring and reducing Ozone Depleting Substances in Brunei. The monitoring and controlling of the use of such substances has been further reinforced with the introduction of a permit system in June 2005.

"Since Brunei became a member of the Montreal Protocol in August 1993, it has the responsibility to implement steps in controlling, reducing and monitoring the substances including export and import. The data is updated from time to time and reported to the Ozone, Secretariats," the director said.

Under Chapter 36 Customs Act, Customs Order (prohibition and control on import and export) amendment 2005, laws arc enforced to control and eradicate the use of Ozone Depleting Substances in Brunei.

Haji Mohd Zakaria also said the agreement signed on the "Implementation of the Refrigerant Management Plan (AMP): Customs Training Programme" between Brunei Darussalam and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on April I I, 2007, the framework to control, reduce and monitor Ozone Depleting Substances will be further enhanced to fulfil the responsibilities. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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