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Environment Canada Update
Up-to-date information pertaining to Environment Canada’s proposed low VOC legislation
Proposed effective date
As of January 1, 2009, all products sold in Canada would have to comply with the regulations
Scope of the proposed low VOC legislation
Environment Canada believes as an industry we can further reduce VOC emissions by 2 kilotonnes per year with the newly proposed VOC content regulations. They’ve defined different product categories and have set aggressive limits for each category. For example: primers and clears would have a VOC limit of 250 gm/l, and basecoats would have a VOC limit of 420 gm/l.
Based on the technology available today, waterborne basecoats will be required to meet the 420 gm/l VOC limit. Environment Canada’s proposal applies to the paint manufacturer in a prohibition of sale, import and manufacturing and distributor, which is more easily enforced than a shop prohibition of use.
Who will be impacted
The regulation would apply to any coating used or recommended for use in refinishing, service, maintenance, restoration, repair or modification, except metal plating activities, of a motor vehicle (trucks, trailers, passenger vehicles) or mobile equipment (mobile cranes, bulldozers, farm equipment).
The regulation wouldn't apply to any coating applied during manufacture on an assembly line to motor vehicles or mobile equipment, or their associated parts; any coating or solvent sold in a non-refillable aerosol container; sold in 15 gram / 0.5 fluid ounce size; or any coating sold for use outside of Canada or shipment to other manufacturers for reformulation or repackaging.
Proposed limits by product category
Preparation
Pretreatment coatings 660 g/L
Primers and surfacers 250 g/L
Primer sealers 250 / 340 g/L
Topcoats
Colour coatings (basecoats) 420 g/L
Clear coatings 250 g/L
Single-stage coatings 340 g/L
Specialty coatings various g/L
Surface cleaners 50 g/L
For additional information and background documents, visit Environment Canada’s website at:
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