Provincial Activities
Ontario endorses Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) for dioxin and furan emissions
The Province proposes adoption of CWS for dioxins and furans that set emission limits and implementation schedules for iron sintering plants and steel manufacturing Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). Public comment is being sought on the draft proposal to incorporate the requirements into guidelines for new Certificates of Approval for new or expanding iron sintering plants and EAFs.
Proposed Action: If your company is involved in iron sintering or EAFs you should review the proposed guidelines and consider how they may affect your present Certificate of Approval as well as planned future amendments.
Proposed Amendments to Ontario s Refrigerants Regulation (O.Reg. 189/94).
Ontario s Refrigerant Regulation is one of five regulations under the Environmental Protection Act controlling the release of ozone depleting substances (ODS). In 2001 the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment approved an update to the National Action Plan for the environmental control of ODS including an accelerated phase-out of chloroflurocarbons (CFCs).
The province is now proposing a complete phase out of CFC based refrigerants in Ontario in three classes of refrigerating devices and the associated time lines for replacement or refilling the devices with approved refrigerants.
Proposed Action: If your company uses mobile refrigeration, chillers or commercial level refrigeration or air conditioning review the proposed guidelines to determine how they affect maintenance of current systems and new refrigerant installations.
Certificates of Approval (CofA) ? How do they affect my business?
The Ministry of Environment issues CofAs to regulate emissions of contaminants (solid, liquid, gas, odour, heat, sound, vibration or radiation) that may cause an adverse environmental effect. Under the Environmental Protection Act facilities that operate or plan to install equipment potentially releasing contaminants into the atmosphere require a permit. Under certain circumstances, such as construction and building exhaust vents, facilities are exempt from the requirement for a CofA. However, many businesses that are not exempt remain unaware of their need to obtain a permit. The CofA is considered a living? document that needs to be revisited if the processes originally certified undergo change.
Proposed Action: Not having a CofA, or an up-to-date CofA, is an offence in Ontario. We suggest that companies review their air emissions status as part of their on-going environmental reviews.
Emissions Trading
Canada s intent to meet obligations related to the Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas emissions will in part by enacted through an emissions trading system whereby the government caps the maximum emission rate for a substance; emitters exceeding the threshold may purchase capacity from those below the threshold. This allows emitters to phase-in environmentally friendly technology over a number of years but still motivates them to make changes that are capital-efficient. At the same time, businesses that actively reduce greenhouse gases emissions are rewarded with credits that can be sold. See the MOE website for additional information.
Proposed Action: An up-to-date and complete emissions inventory is essential for CofA s and emissions reporting (under O. Reg 127 and NPRI) but can also be used to track emissions of GHG s and prepare your company for emissions trading ? ensure your inventory is complete and up-to-date.
On the Federal Front ? News from Environment Canada
CEPA and Canadians
With the introduction of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) the federal government has initiated a system to review all substances to assure a safe and healthy environment by cataloguing toxic substances used by Canadian businesses. CEPA authorizes the creation of a pollution prevention clearinghouse to share knowledge and technologies with the public and businesses alike. Under the new initiatives the Minister can require a company to prepare and implement a pollution prevention program to handle substances considered toxic. The focus of CEPA is on pollution prevention, and protection of the environment and human health to contribute to sustainable development.
Proposed Action: Since the Federal government is increasingly active in regulating substances, become aware of CEPA requirements and substances defined as toxic.
The laboratory is accredited by CALA to ISO/IEC 17025 for specific tests on the scope of accreditation.