VOC Regulations in Canada are Changing
13 Mar 2013
Environment Canada recently announced that the Canadian regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be amended.
Environment Canada recently announced that the Canadian regulations regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will be amended. The proposed Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations, initially published on April 26, 2008, have been revised to include the requirements of the VOC regulations currently in place for architectural coatings and automotive refinishing products. The revised proposed regulations would reflect the current VOC legislation repealed and the requirements for VOC limits in architectural coatings and automotive refinishing products included in the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations.
The revised proposed regulation will set concentration limits for VOCs in 98 categories of certain products, including personal care products, household maintenance products, adhesives, sealants and caulking, just to name a few. The proposed VOC limits are intended to align as closely as possible with those set by California Air Resources Board (CARB) to help manufacturers and importers meet the requirements in both Canada and the US.
The government has published a consultation document that provides background information and outlines the proposed path forward regarding the revision of these proposed Regulations. The intent is to publish proposed regulations for certain products in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in the summer of 2014. The consultation document is available on-line.
The public consultation period is currently open and the government will accept comments until March 22, 2013.
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Blogger:
Joyce Borkhoff, Vice President, Chemicals Group, Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy