(Originally published on 01/04/2016)

Dec.24 Ningbo, The mid-term review meeting of the United Nations Develop Programme (UNDP) Second Phase of Anti-Smuggling Ozone Depletion Substance (ODS) Program was hosted in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province today. UNDP joined the representatives from the Foreign Economic Cooperation Office Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP/FECO), the General Administration of Customs (GAC), as well as 11 provincial customs departments to assess the progress and achievements of this program in the past year.

ODS such as HCFC (Hydro chlorofluorocarbons) and CFC (chlorofluorocarbons) contain elements like chlorine and bromine, which cause the thinning of the ozone layer when they react with the stratospheric ozone. In addition, ODSs contribute greatly towards greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and as the study by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) showed, the worldwide phase out of HCFC by 2050 could contribute to the reduction of 25 billion tons of CO2 equivalent.

Since China ratified the Montreal protocol (on substances that deplete the ozone layer), China has made great achievements in compliance with the Protocol. The goal of completely phasing-out CFC usage has been achieved two years ahead of the deadline and China has committed to accelerating phase-out of HCFCs in the 19^th meeting of Montreal Protocol parties.  However, as the protocol has been designed so that the phase-out system incorporates different schedules between developed and developing countries, it had inadvertently created conditions for a black market in ODS. The illegal ODS trade has adversely affected China’s progress to fulfill its commitment.

To strengthen the awareness of ODS anti-smuggling of the customs officers in China, UNDP has been working with MEP and GAC, and has successfully implemented the first phase of the ODS anti-smuggling program. Furthermore, these efforts have been expanded to all 11 regional customs offices in China in the second phase of this project. The project has funded the customs offices to receive training in identifying ODS smuggling as well as upgrade to technical detecting devices, resulted in the increase of the quality and quantity of the detection of illegal cases. In addition, it has facilitated the communications between customs offices and ODS import and export companies, which further promoted the self-regulation of the private sector and led to positive impact in the ODS anti-smuggling.

“It is worth noting that different customs offices need to have their own targeted areas in ODS anti-smuggling due to the variety in locations and levels of surveillance. Meanwhile, the successful execution of this project needs be supported by great collaboration within the customs office”, said Mr. Chen Liang, Director General of FECO. “I hope the methods and mechanisms of ODS import and export supervision established through this project can be a long-lasting effort.”