Gasoline Regulations: 2003 amendments affecting leaded gasoline for competition vehicles

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)
Information bulletin: IBGR98001.4

Contact:

Edward Dowdall, Use Patterns and Controls Implementation Section
National Office of Pollution Prevention
Tel.: 819-953-9476
Fax: 819-994-0007

This bulletin provides clarification of the requirements specified in sections 3 and 11 of the Gasoline Regulations, made on April 26, 1990, as amended, including the last amendment published on April 9, 2003 in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

The purpose of the April 9, 2003 amendments was to allow an exemption, until January 1, 2008, with respect to gasoline for use in competition vehicles from the otherwise applicable restrictions on the concentration of lead in gasoline specified in the Gasoline Regulations.

According to the regulations, a competition vehicle is defined as a vehicle or boat that is used exclusively for competition and does not include a vehicle that is used on a highway or a vehicle or boat that is used for recreational purposes. The regulations no longer require certification from engine builders or racesanctioning bodies verifying engine octane requirements and compression ratios.

There is also a definition of "import". Under the regulations, "import" means to bring gasoline into Canada. However, if the gasoline is transported into Canada in the fuel tank of a conveyance or a competition vehicle for use in the conveyance’s or the competition vehicle’s engine, it is not considered as being imported. Gasoline brought into Canada under any other circumstance is considered as an import.

Sellers, as well as producers and importers of leaded gasoline for competition vehicles, are required to keep records detailing the sales, imports or production of the leaded gasoline. Furthermore, these persons must submit their records annually to the Minister of the Environment. This data will be used to monitor leaded gasoline use in competition vehicles.

Anyone who buys leaded gasoline for use in their competition vehicle, but is not engaged in the production, importation or sale of leaded gasoline for competition vehicles, is exempt from the record keeping and reporting requirements.

The Regulations require that the records must be retained in Canada for a period of five years beginning on the date the record is made.

Example templates for company identification and record keeping are attached to this bulletin.

The dated records that are kept must show:

  • the brand name of the gasoline
  • the octane rating and the method used for determining the octane rating of the gasoline
  • the average yearly lead concentration in milligrams per litre (mg/L) of the gasoline for each brand name
  • if the gasoline was sold for resale or distribution, the name and address of the re-seller or distributor
  • if the gasoline was sold at a track or event location, the name and address of the track or event location where the gasoline was used
  • quantities of leaded gasoline produced, imported, sold or offered for sale must also be recorded

These records must be submitted annually to the Minister of the Environment on or before March 31 of the year following the year the activity occurred. The information may be faxed or mailed to:

Minister of the Environment
Attn.: Head, Use Patterns and Controls Implementation Section
National Office of Pollution Prevention
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard 12th floor
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3
Fax: 819-994-0007

Copies of the Gasoline Regulations and their amendments are available upon request. For further information please contact your nearest Environment and Climate change Canada regional office or the contact listed at the top of this bulletin.

Should any inconsistencies between this Bulletin, CEPA and the Gasoline Regulations be found, CEPA and the regulations will prevail.

Updated: June 2003

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