Regulations and Other Management Tools

This section highlights new reports about mercury and new mercury management tools/initiatives as they become available. If you are aware of items that could be added to this section, please contact us.

Response to Comments Following Consultations on the Proposed Regulations Respecting Products Containing Certain Substances Listed in Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

November, 2011

Environment Canada has published a Response to Comments document following comments received on the proposed Regulations. Environment Canada and Health Canada summarized the feedback received and provided responses indicating how they intend to take the comments into consideration in the development of the final Regulations.

For more information regarding these proposed Regulations, please contact:

Address:
Products Division
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 9th floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3

Email:
mercury@ec.gc.ca

Telephone:
819-997-5876

Fax:
819-997-3068

Proposed Regulations Respecting Products Containing Certain Substances Listed in Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

February, 2011

Environment Canada has published a proposed regulation on mercury-containing products in Canada. The proposed regulation is published in the Canada Gazette, Part  I for a 75-day comment period.

The longer 75-day consultation period allows international firms sufficient time to comment on the proposed regulation, in accordance with Treasury Board of Canada policy.

Any notice of objection must still be filed within 60 days as established under section 333 of CEPA 1999.

Please provide your written comments on the proposed regulation by May 12^th, 2011 to:

Address:
Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 14th floor
Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3

Email:
mercury@ec.gc.ca

Telephone:
819-997-5876

Fax:
819-997-3068

Risk Management Strategy for Mercury

On October 19th, 2010, Environment Canada and Health Canada published the Risk Management Strategy for Mercury.

The Risk Management Strategy for Mercury provides a comprehensive and consolidated description of the Government of Canada's progress to date in managing the risks associated with mercury.  It also outlines objectives, priorities, current and anticipated actions, and monitoring programs in place to address the ongoing risks associated with mercury. 

For more information regarding this strategy, please contact:

Chemicals Management Division
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3

Email address: GR-RM@ec.gc.ca

Fax number: (819) 994-0007

Final Notice: Pollution Prevention Planning in Respect of Mercury Releases from Dental Amalgam Waste

May, 2010

On May 8^th, 2010 Environment Canada published a notice under Part 4 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) outlining requirements to prepare and implement pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from dental amalgam waste. The Notice, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, targets dental facilities that have not implemented all of the best management practices set out in Appendix A of the Notice or in the "Memorandum of Understanding Respecting the Implementation of the Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste" between the Canadian Dental Association and Environment Canada for the voluntary implementation of the Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste.

A fact sheet emphasizing key points, combining relevant dates and explaining in greater details specific requirements of the Notice is available.

For more information on the Notice and best management practices with respect to dental amalgam please contact:

Environment Canada - Waste Reduction and Management Division

mercury@ec.gc.ca

(819) 934-6059

For more general information on pollution prevention and pollution prevention plans please contact:

Environment Canada - Innovative Measures Section

LCPEPlansP2-CEPAP2Plans@ec.gc.ca

819-994-0186

Summary of Comments Regarding the Proposed Notice for Dental Amalgam Waste

January, 2010

Interested parties were able to provide comments on the Proposed Notice Regarding Pollution Prevention Planning in Respect of Mercury Releases from Dental Amalgam Waste during a 60-day comment period that ended on June 17, 2009. A summary of comments and Environment Canada's responses is available.

The Proposed Notice was published on April 18, 2009, in the Canada Gazette, Part I. It outlines proposed requirements to prepare and implement pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from dental amalgam waste.

Proposed Notice Regarding Pollution Prevention Planning in Respect of Mercury Releases from Dental Amalgam Waste

April, 2009

On April 18, 2009 Environment Canada published a Proposed Notice under Part 4 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) outlining proposed requirements to prepare and implement pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from dental amalgam waste. The Proposed Notice, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 60 day comment period, targets dental facilities that have not implemented all of the best management practices set out in the "Memorandum of Understanding Respecting the Implementation of the Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste" between the Canadian Dental Association and Environment Canada for the voluntary implementation of the Canada-wide Standard on Mercury for Dental Amalgam Waste. After receiving and considering comments received during this 60 day comment period, a Final Notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from dental amalgam waste will be published in Part I of the Canada Gazette.

Please provide your written comments on the Proposed Notice and related schedules by June 17, 2009 to:

Follow-up to Consultations on Regulations for Mercury-Containing Products

August, 2008

Environment Canada has held consultations on Proposed Risk Management Instruments for Mercury-Containing Products (PDF; 259 KB) (HTML). Environment Canada is committed to ensuring that all initiatives aimed at developing risk management measures include a process of meaningful and effective consultation with stakeholders. In keeping with this commitment, Environment Canada hosted multi-stakeholder consultation sessions in Toronto and Vancouver in February 2008. A meeting report (PDF; 82 KB) from these sessions as well as a summary of comments and Environment Canada's responses (PDF; 99 KB) (HTML) are available. A copy of the presentation given at these sessions is also available upon request by contacting mercury@ec.gc.ca.

Proposed Risk Management Instruments for Mercury-Containing Products

December, 2007

Environment Canada is holding consultations on Proposed Risk Management Instruments for Mercury-Containing Products (PDF; 259 KB) (HTML). This discussion document proposes tools and instruments in order to prohibit or limit mercury use in products, control imports or exports where necessary, and set labelling requirements.

Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on the discussion document by March 7th, 2008. Please send your written questions and/or comments to either of the following addresses:

Please type "Consultation on Proposed Risk Management Instruments for Mercury-Containing Products" in the subject line of your Email message.

Final Notice: Pollution Prevention Planning in respect of Mercury Releases from Mercury Switches in End-of-life Vehicles Processed by Steel Mills.

December, 2007

On December 29, 2007 Environment Canada published a Final Notice under Part 4 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) outlining requirements to prepare and implement pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from mercury switches in end-of-life vehicles processed by steel mills. The Notice, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, targets vehicle manufacturers and steel mills.

Forms referred in the Notice (Schedule 1 to 5) are to be filled out electronically at the Pollution Prevention Planning Web site at www.ec.gc.ca/cepap2/.

Risk Management Strategy for Mercury-containing Products

December, 2006

Environment Canada is holding consultations to obtain the view of Canadians on a Risk Management Strategy for Mercury-containing products (RMS). The RMS provides a framework for the development of control instruments to manage the environmental effects of mercury used in products.

Interested parties are invited to provide written comments on the RMS by March 31st, 2007. Please send your written questions and/or comments to either of the following addresses:

Please type "Consultation on RMS for Mercury-containing Products" in the subject line of your Email message.

Proposed Notice: Pollution Prevention Planning in respect of Mercury Releases from Mercury Switches in End-of-life Vehicles Processed by Steel Mills.

December, 2006

On December 9, 2006 Environment Canada published a Proposed Notice under Part 4 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) outlining proposed requirements to prepare and implement pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from mercury switches in end-of-life vehicles processed by steel mills. The Notice, published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 60 day comment period, targets vehicle manufacturers and steel mills. After receiving and considering comments received during this 60 day comment period, a Final Notice requiring the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans for mercury releases from mercury switches in end-of-life vehicles processed by steel mills will be published in Part I of the Canada Gazette.

Please provide your written comments on the Proposed Notice and related schedules by February 7, 2007 to: