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Carbon and Environment Daily (17 Sep, 2013): The Coalition should fix lax enforcement of rules on refrigerant gases, establish gas recovery schemes for used cars and appliances, and vigorously back moves to use the Montreal Protocol to phase them out, according to the refrigerants industry. The view is shared by two refrigerant organisations that hold … Continue reading Coalition urged to toughen stand on potent greenhouse gases

Now that Australia has a new federal government, where are we at with the carbon tax, and how will it impact VASA members? According to Executive Director of Refrigerants Australia, Greg Picker, we are unlikely to see any changes until at least July next year when the new Senate first sits. The existing Senate appears … Continue reading Where are we at with the carbon tax?

VASA has seized upon an opportunity to set up a new head office at Ormeau, just north of the Gold Coast where the association began 20 years ago. The office houses the VASA secretariat and will be the primary venue for Board meetings. It also offers a unique environment for member training. The establishment of … Continue reading New head office for VASA

VASA is pleased to announce the first in a series of regional training events – bringing top class trainers to cities and towns around Australia. The first will be the VASA Advanced Automotive Air Conditioning Diagnostic course, presented by Automotive Training Solutions’ Grant Hand at Mile End in Adelaide on Saturday 19 October (from 8am … Continue reading VASA regional training comes to Adelaide

Financial Times (Sep 4, 2013): France’s top administrative court has ordered the government to lift a controversial ban on the registration of several Mercedes-Benz models that led to a clash between Paris and the luxury German carmaker over European environmental rules. In a sharp rebuke to President François Hollande’s government, the Conseil d’État, which oversees … Continue reading French court overturns ban on Mercedes

PARIS (Reuters – Aug 24, 2013) – France’s top administrative court said it would decide next week whether to suspend a government ban on the sale of some of Daimler’s cars in France in a row over coolant fluid. France held up the sale of thousands of Daimler’s Mercedes Benz cars after the German carmaker … Continue reading French court delays Daimler sales ban

Automotive News Europe (Aug 24, 2013): Toyota says it has switched back to using the air conditioner refrigerant R134a for some Toyota and Lexus models in Europe – in response to public pressure in Germany. R134a has been banned from new vehicles built in the EU since the start of the year to help meet … Continue reading Toyota switches back to banned refrigerant in Europe

Throughout our industry recently, it has become quite common-place to see persistent attempts to promote and market flammable refrigerants, as so-called ‘drop-in’ replacements, for use as a retrofit option in mobile air conditioning systems. This practice has the potential to be dangerous, and could place your technicians, your customers and the general public at risk. … Continue reading VASA issues safety warning on flammable refrigerants

TAFE lecturer and auto electrician, Peter Stubley, has been elected to the Board of VASA. He has more than 30 years experience in the industry – running his own workshop for 25 years before becoming a full time teacher in 2006. Peter is currently teaching Certificate II Automotive Air Conditioning, Certificate III Automotive Electrical Technology … Continue reading VASA welcomes new Board member

MACS (August 2013): The water pump is the heart of the cooling system and today’s pumps are made better than ever, with such features as stainless steel impellers and more durable seals. But although they seem to be lasting longer, they aren’t matching the durability of cars in general. An apparent reason is contaminated coolant, … Continue reading Are you seeing water pump comebacks?