On the 5th of October the Canada Gazette published that Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations 2012 has added five substances they are HBCD, PFOA, LC-PFCAs, PBDEs and PFOS.
Main Requirements
| Substance name | Prohibition | Exemptions | Main uses |
| Hexabromoc yclododecan e (HBCD) | prohibiting the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import of the substance HBCD. | • Expanded and extruded polystyrene foams and their intermediary products for a building or construction application would be prohibited after Jan 1, 2017. | used primarily as a flame retardant in insulation materials in the construction industry . |
| PFOA | prohibiting the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, or import of PFOA and LC-PFCAs and products containing these substances. | • water-based inks and photo media coatings containing these substances until December 31, 2016; • In aqueous film forming foam used in fire-fighting applications; • Intended for personal use. | used as water, oil and grease repellants; as surfactants; and as spreading and wetting agents. |
| LC-PFCAs | |||
| Polybrominat ed diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) | prohibit the use, sale, offer for sale and import of PBDEs(molecular formula C12H(10–n)BrnO in which 4≤n≤10),as well as mixtures, polymers and resins containing these substances. | / | flame retardant mostly in consumer products such as electrical and electronic goods, and in transportation, textile and construction products. |
| Perfluoroocta ne sulfonate (PFOS) | maintain similar regulatory requirements, as specified under the PFOS Regulations. | • Photographic films, papers and printing plates; • Photoresists or anti-reflective coatings for photolithography processes; • Aqueous Film Forming Foam (lConcentration Limit of the Toxic Substance:10ppm); • In aqueous film forming foam present in a military vessel or military fire-fighting vehicle contaminated during a foreign military operation. | used as a surfactant in fume suppressants and aqueous film-forming foam. |
CTI Suggestion
Manufacturers of related products should follow the updated requirements of Canadian legislations and look for new environmentally friendly substitutes to ensure compliance of products exported for the Canadian market.