The change, which came into force on 1 January 2020, applies to all (existing and new) licence holders. It is an offence under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 to charge RAC equipment with a refrigerant with a higher global warming potential (GWP) than the equipment was originally designed to use. For example, it prohibits replacing R-1234yf (with a GWP of 1) in the automotive industry with HFC-134a (with a GWP of 1,430).AS5149 contains specific requirements regarding retrofitting different refrigerant in air conditioning and refrigeration equipment which must be adhered to. Variations to the manufacturer’s design specifications must be verified by a competent, independent person or persons. More information at www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/ozone/rac/new-rules-charging-rac-equipment.