Ottawa issues environmental rules governing halocarbons in HVAC equipment, reefer units

OTTAWA (July 6, 1999) — Environment Canada issued new pollution-prevention rules governing halocarbons, chemicals used in refrigeration systems, air conditioning units, solvent cleaning systems, and fire extinguishers which can be harmful to the ozone layer.

The regulations, adopted under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, specifically apply to halocarbons in equipment owned by the federal government or by companies that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as interprovincial trucking operations.

The regulations, which came into effect July 1, are designed to minimize releases, address the recovery and recycling of ozone-depleting substances, detection of leaks and repair, environment awareness training, and reporting of releases. In addition, they call for the development of a strategy for use, control, and phase-out of ozone depleting substances and their halocarbon alternatives.

Halocarbons and halcoarbon alternatives covered under the regulations include: tetrachloromethane (carbon tetrachloride); 1,1,1-trichloroethane (methyl chloroform), not including 1,1,2-trichloroethane; chlorofluorocarbons (CFC); bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211); bromotrifluoromethane (Halon 1301); dibromotetrafluoroethane (Halon 2402); bromofluorocarbons; hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFC); hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC); hydrofluorocarbons (HFC); and perfluorocarbons (PFC).

The new federal standards are similar to provincial requirements, thereby closing regulatory gaps between both levels of government.

The Government of Canada Regulations on Halocarbons for Ozone-Depleting Substances will be published in Canada Gazette, Part II, on July 7, 1999. The text is available now at Environment Canada’s Web site.