Custom brokers get training in identifying ODS

Attendees at the ODS training workshop
Attendees at the ODS training workshop

Customs Brokers in Dominica are currently undergoing  training which is expected to assist them in the proper classification and identification of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), ODS products and refrigerants.

This, as the island takes steps towards phasing out the use of ODS, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol.

National Ozone Officer, Bradley Guye, said the training is being held specifically for customs brokers since they deal directly with the recording of ODS imported into the country.

“Dominica is a small contributor of ODS substance since we do not produce. However we import them. Refrigeration technicians also sometimes by chance release ODS into the air during maintenance and repair of their equipment,” he said.

Guye added that the training is the first in the region which focuses on customs brokers.

The training is expected to look at 4 main areas which include: depletion of the ozone layer and international response, role of customs brokers in the Montreal Protocol compliance, legislative and enforcement approaches to meet the compliance underneath the Montreal protocol and the role of ASYCUDA World, a new online program implemented for recording ODS.

Project Manager, United Nations Program for Environment (UNEP/ROLAC), Donalyn Charles, said that Dominica is, as of 2013, phasing out the use of ODS including HCFC which is the second largest group of ODS.

“The only way to ensure that Dominica remains compliant within the base line for HCFC is if importers stick within their allocated quotas,” she said.

Charles advised brokers to use the training as an opportunity to develop a partnership between themselves, the Ozone Unit and UNEP.

Meanwhile, Guye revealed that Dominica has drafted its own ozone regulations by using the Montreal protocol which was developed in 2006. According to him, a meeting will be held during the week with the Attorney General’s office for review.

The Montreal Protocol puts regulations in place to encourage the phasing out of ODS around the world.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available