Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published a consultation document to eliminate the exemptions for the use of select Flame Retardants and Repellents in manufactured items. The notice of intent to amend the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, was published in Canada Gazette Part 1, Vol.152.
Written comments are due by February 18, 2019. Comments and information received during the comment period will be considered in the development of proposed regulatory amendments to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012, targeted for publication in Canada Gazette, Part I, in Winter 2020.
Substances included in the proposal:
Flame Retardants
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Dechlorane plus (DP)
Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBPDE)
The proposal is all four flame retardants would be prohibited for import, manufacture, use, sale and offer for sale of in manufactured items. Canada’s proposal is by far the most restrictive in that no safe harbour limits are being proposed even for the use of recycled plastic that may have previously contained these substances.
Repellents: Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Long chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), Fluorotelomer-based precursors to LC-PFCAs.
These substances are used as water, oil and grease repellents, and as surfactants and surface treatment agents. The proposal is these substances would be prohibited for import, manufacture, use, sale and offer for sale of in manufactured items.
The full ECCC consultation package and proposal can be found using this link.
More information
- FAQ’s on the prohibition of certain toxic Substances Regulations.
- Substances PFOA, LC-PFCA prohibition summar
- Flame retardants
- PBDE summary
Contact:
Chemicals Management Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: [email protected]