Refrigerant License Trust Board applies for authorisation regarding supply of refrigerants

The Commerce Commission has received an application under its streamlined authorisation process
from the Refrigerant License Trust Board (RLTB). The RLTB is a charitable trust which has the
purpose of promoting, educating, and training people in the safe handling of refrigerants.

The RLTB seeks authorisation for wholesalers of refrigerants to enter into an agreement that would
result in the wholesalers selling refrigerants to only those customers trained to safely handle them.

The Commission may grant authorisation for certain practices that may otherwise breach the
restrictive trade practice provisions of the Commerce Act 1986 if it is satisfied that the public
benefits of the practice outweigh the detriments arising from the loss of competition.

The Commission must first determine whether the practice would result, would be likely to result,
or is deemed to result, in a lessening of competition in the relevant markets.

Parties who consider that they have an interest in the application should notify the Commission of
their interest via email registrar@comcom.govt.nz by 14 July 2011.

A public version of the application will be available shortly on the Commission’s website: