October 2, 2008

Lack Of Export Permit Results In Court Imposed Fine

BRAMPTON, Ontario -- Winning International of Brampton, Ontario, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice on one count of exporting hazardous waste without a permit, a violationunder the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations.  The Court issued an order directing the company to pay $7,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund.  In addition to the fine imposed, the Court ordered Winning International to dispose of the lead acid batteries in an environmentally sound manner.

On September 27, 2006, the Canada Border Services Agency and Environment Canada Enforcement intercepted a marine container.  The contents had been declared as metal scrap, but during the inspection of its contents, it was determined that the container was used for transporting spent lead acid batteries. As spent lead acid batteries are identified as hazardous waste material under Canadian environmental legislation, Environment Canada Enforcement Branch initiated an investigation.