Asbestos In Vehicles

Asbestos In Vehicles

Exporting your car to Australia?

If you are planning on exporting your car to Australia, you will need to comply with An Australia-wide ban on the manufacture and use of all forms of asbestos that took effect on 31 December 2003. It is crucial to ensure that all asbestos-containing components are identified, tested and removed from your vehicle before exporting it to Australia.  

“The importer of a vehicle (the ‘owner’ for the purposes of importation) must know the history of that vehicle to ensure it does not contain any asbestos before it is shipped. This applies whether the importation is for commercial or private purposes, or of a temporary or permanent nature.” – Australian Border Force 

If your car was built before 2000, it is considered to potentially contain asbestos, and you will need to provide evidence that the entire vehicle, including all parts and components, is asbestos-free. The Australian Border Force will only accept a clearance certificate from an asbestos professional, along with the accredited laboratory test results, as evidence that there is no asbestos present. 

How to obtain a clearance certificate? 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) will accept a clearance certificate with supporting laboratory results (if required) from an Asbestos Professional as assurance the vehicle is asbestos free. 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) has stipulated a manufacturers letter, supplier or associated mechanic, stating there is no asbestos content is unlikely to provide sufficient assurance. 

The Australian Border Force (ABF) “Managing the risk of asbestos when importing a motor vehicle” 

For asbestos testing and required exportation documents, please contact our team.  

 How can we assist:  

Consultex Environmental is here to help you with pre-export/import asbestos testing for all types of vehicles. Consultex can: 

  • Visit your residence, workshop, mechanic, or storage location to perform a comprehensive assessment of your vehicle and take necessary samples for analysis at an accredited laboratory. 
  • We will then provide a clearance certificate indicating the absence of asbestos in the vehicle, as required by the Australian Border Force (ABF), or 
  • If it is determined that your car contains asbestos material or components, we can recommend asbestos removalists to assist with the removal process and provide a clearance certificate after successful abatement. 

Vehicle parts that might contain asbestos. 

The most common vehicle parts and components found to contain asbestos at the border are in brakes and gaskets in locations designed to resist heat. Parts and components at risk can include: 

  • Insulation 
  • Brake pads and shoes  
  • Bituminous and asphalt coatings 
  • Seals: fuel tanks, mastic sealants, windows  
  • Gaskets: cylinder head, extractors, exhaust system
  • Bonnet liners  
  • Body seams 
  • Heater/air conditioner housings 
  • Fibrous washers 
  • Sound deadening material/Acoustic padding. 
  • Clutch linings 
  • Firewalls 
  • Heat shields  
  • Wiring/cable wrap

Cars

Tags: No tags

Comments are closed.