Meeting with Cool-Safe
Purpose
1. You are meeting with Janine Brinsdon (Chief Executive), Richard Lauder (Trust Chair),
and Michelle Kazor (Independent Trustee) of the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic
Refrigerants (Cool-Safe) on 1 April 2025. This brief has been prepared to support you at
that meeting. It includes:
i.
background information about Cool-Safe and why they wish to meet; and
ii.
talking points and biographies for the Cool-Safe attendees as appendices.
2. Glenn Wigley, General Manager – Waste and HSNO Policy will be attending this
meeting with you.
Context
Background information on Cool-Safe
3. Cool-Safe (the operational brand name of the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic
Refrigerants), is the accredited Product Stewardship Organisation (PSO) for the
regulated product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants (RRPS).
4. Cool-Safe have been operating a takeback scheme for synthetic refrigerants since the
early 1990s. Cool-Safe’s current take back service for used synthetic refrigerants, pays
$40 per Kg.
Cool-Safe's role as a PSO
5. Once the regulations come into force Cool-Safe will deliver the regulated product
stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerant gases. Under the regulations the sale of
these gases, and equipment containing these gases, will be restricted to occur in
accordance with the scheme. Operating in accordance with the scheme will require
participants to register with the scheme, report the sale of synthetic refrigerants from
import through to destruction or export, and have proof of training or on the job learning
to an industry approved standard.
6. s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(ba)(i)
7. The PSO has contracted representatives from the sector in the form of the Strategic
Leadership Forum to develop the industry approved training for synthetic refrigerants.
The forum is working closely with officials and workforce development council to enable
the training to receive unit standards under the NZQA framework.
8. Officials are working closely with Cool-Safe as we progress with the drafting of the
regulations to give effect to the decisions taken by Cabinet at the end of last year and
implement the scheme,
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Topics Cool-Safe have indicated they wish to discuss
9. Cool-Safe have indicated they wish to discuss:
i.
progress on the implementing the RRPS
ii.
s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(ba)(i)
iii.
MBIE’s paused work on a licensing scheme
iv.
Cool-Safe’s submission on options for work-based learning.
Feedback on the progress on the implementation of RRPS
10. Cool-Safe intend to provide you with a progress update on the development of the
scheme. This is likely to include updates on the development of the registration and
reporting platform and the development of the industry approved training.
s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(ba)(i)
11. s 9(2)(f)(iv)
12. s 9(2)(f)(iv)
13.s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(ba)(i)
MBIE’s paused work on a licensing regime
14. MBIE had previously been progressing a comprehensive licensing regime for
technicians working in the HVAC-R sector in line with the approach taken in other
comparable jurisdictions. Currently, New Zealand does not have any form of licensing,
or training, as a legal requirement to work on HVAC-R equipment, including the
instillation of residential heat pumps.
15. MBIE’s work has been paused pending the outcome of the wider review of the work
health and safety regulatory system. Cool-Safe is likely to advocate for a licensing
system that covers all types of refrigerants (naturals and synthetics) and more in-depth
technical knowledge of HVAC-R systems and equipment (beyond the handling of Gas).
Cool-Safe's submission on options for work-based learning
16. Considering changes in the delivery model of tertiary education, Cool-Safe submitted on
Options for the Future of work-based Learning. Cool-Safe support Option B-
Independent Work-Based Learning.
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17. Cool-Safe wish to discuss their submission with you.
s 9(2)(f)(iv), s 9(2)(ba)(i)
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Appendix 1: Talking points
1. Thank you for taking the time to meet, officials have kept me informed on the progress of
the scheme.
s 9(2)(ba)(i), s 9(2)(f)(iv)
4. Question: What type of feedback did you receive?
MBIE’s work on a licensing scheme
5. I acknowledge pausing the work on the licencing scheme has implications for the
introduction of the regulated product stewardship scheme for these gases.
6. The Government is currently reviewing the wider work health and safety regulatory
system, and work on a licensing regime will depend on the outcome of the review.
7. I understand the work on the regulated product stewardship scheme’s industry approved
training requirements can continue in line with the scheme’s environmental objectives.
8. The Strategic Development Forum and Cool-Safe can take a more comprehensive
approach to the training. The key thing for me and my colleagues is that the training is
developed and in place ahead of 2028 when the regulated training requirements will
come into effect. This is because there is abatement tied to this under the second
emissions reduction plan.
9. Question: Given the pause in this work, what gains can be made for the training
requirements under product stewardship in preparation for the 2028 deadline?
Cool-Safe’s submission on options for work-based learning
10. Thank you for taking the time to submit on the consultation document on options for the
future of work-based learning.
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Appendix 2: Cool-Safe attendee biographies
Photo
Name and details
Janine Brinsdon
• Is the chief executive of Cool-Safe. Previously,
Janine was chief executive of WasteMINZ for
three years.
• Janine was also the General Manager at
Business North Harbour and served as an
Executive Board Member with the British New
Zealand Business Association.
Michelle Kazor
• Michelle is an independent trustee of the Trust
for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants who
runs Cool-Safe.
• Michelle has over 20 years’ experience in the
climate, waste and resource efficiency sectors.
•
Michelle was previously a Director at EY and
Director of Waste Investment at the Ministry for
the Environment. While at MfE, Michelle worked
on the waste levy investment strategy and on co-
investment projects with the private sector.
Richard Lauder
• Richard serves as an independent Chair on the
Trust for the Destruction of synthetic refrigerants
Board.
• Richard is also a Trustee of WWF-New Zealand
and was previously Chair of Tourism Industry
Aotearoa.
• Richard is a chartered member of the Institute of
Directors. Prior to his roles in governance,
Richard held a number of chief executive roles
across a range of sectors.
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