China ECA Dialogue Convened for Strengthening National Institutions through Regional Co-operation
More than 20 delegates of Ozone Officers and Customs officers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as representatives from United Nations Environment Programmes (UNEP) met in Urumqi, China on 23 – 24 June 2009 to establish modalities of communication among Customs administrations, Ozone Focal Points and other competent authorities to implement measures to improve enforcement cooperation and border control in combating illegal trade in ODS.
The Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and the China Customs Administration in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) organized this Dialogue as a continuation and follow-up to the earlier Dialogue initiated during the Trilateral Meeting with China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on control of trade in ODS held in August 2005. The meeting agreed on some 25 recommendations related to the implementation of policy measure including the banning of sale of virgin CFCs in the market, labelling requirements for refrigerant cylinders, registration and certification schemes for technicians and companies dealing with ODS, logbook keeping for importers, exporters and dealers of ODS and mandatory proof of origin for ODS imports. Following the 2 days’ Dialogue, 40 Customs Officers from Urumqi Customs District, including Anti-Smuggling Bureau, Policy & Regulation Division, Field Service as well as Customs Offices in Kashi, Allah Mountain, Huoerguosi and Urumqi airport participated in a one-day training related to the Montreal Protocol to Protect the Ozone Layer.
While this News Flash was being prepared, very encouraging news was brought about. Eight cylinders containing 108.8 kilograms of HCFC-22 were seized by Allah Mountain Customs office affiliated with Urumqi Customs District. The ODS originated from a local market in China and bound for export to Central Asian countries. The suspects were caught in a public bus and were not able to produce any export license. Â The illegal ODS were found by Customs Officers who were trained during the China ECA Dialogue in Urumqi.
