Canada announces HFC bans
CANADA: Canada’s “notice of intent” to follow the US and ban certain HFC refrigerants has now been published in the government’s official organ the Canada Gazette.
Environment minister Leona Aglukkaq announced that Canada would follow US HFC phase-down proposals at the United Nation’s Climate Summit in New York in September.
The latest announcement in the Canada Gazette says that the Canadian government “recognises the importance of regulatory alignment between Canada and the United States and of ensuring a level playing field for Canadian and US companies and enterprises. Canada will therefore endeavour to align measures for HFCs with those of the United States to the extent possible and will work towards an approach that takes both our environment and our economy into account.”
Although Canada already has some measures in place to prevent HFC emissions, these controls do not limit consumption.
The US EPA proposes to delist from its SNAP programme a number of high GWP refrigerants like R404A, R507A and R134a in certain new applications, effectively banning them in new equipment from as early as 2016. As in the US proposals, Canada says the controls will not affect existing HFC systems already in use in Canada, which will be allowed to continue to be serviced and operated.
Consultations will be carried out with representatives of provincial and territorial governments, industry, non-governmental organisations and other interested stakeholders. Input received during these consultations will be considered during the development of the proposed regulations.
Environment Canada says it will continue to work closely with the US government to align its regulations with US measures and continue to engage with other international partners.
Related news:
US could ban R404A from 2016 – July 11, 2014
USA: A number of common HFC refrigerants including R404A and R134a could be banned in certain uses from as early as January 1, 2016, under new proposals put forward by the US EPA. Read more…
Canada could follow US with HFC bans – September 24, 2014
CANADA: The Government of Canada is the latest to announce that it is to regulate HFC refrigerants. Read more…
