On March 23, 2016, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) distributed a communication to stakeholders on phase 2 of the consultations concerning proposed HFC regulations. The work on HFC regulations began on December 6, 2014 ECCC published a Notice of Intent to develop proposed regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to control the manufacture, import and use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Canada. ECCC held a series of meetings in 2015 during which proposed regulatory measures on HFCs were presented and stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed regulatory measures. ECCC then revised the proposed regulatory measures based on comments received throughout the consultation process, and to align, where possible, with the U.S. measures under its SNAP program.
The proposed approach combines a phase-down of HFCs from a calculated baseline and a series of product-specific controls. The communication included six proposals covering the proposed phase down measures and controls in the major use areas for HFCs including foam, aerosols, mobile air conditioning and refrigeration/air conditioning.
The refrigeration and air conditioning area contains target maximum Global Warming Potential (GWP) limits for refrigerant in specific RAC equipment and proposed timelines for implementation of the GWP limits. This process is the final opportunity for interested parties to provide comments to ECCC before the publication of the proposed regulations in Part I of the Canada Gazette. ECCC is requesting comments in writing by no later than April 29, 2016.
Copies of the ECCC communication have been circulated to the refrigeration and heating & air conditioning members of HRAI and the association is asking for comments for ECCC to be sent to HRAI by April 15, 2016.
For more information or to receive a copy of the ECCC communication, please contact Warren Heeley at 1-800-267-2231 or email warren.heeley@hrai.ca. From HRAI E-Insight
