Canadahas published the approved Products Containing Mercury Regulations (SOR/2014-254) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, which shall come into force on 7 November 2015. Here are the highlights of the regulation:
Prohibition:
A person must not manufacture or import any product that contains mercury unless
the product belongs to a product category set out in column 1 of the schedule, the maximum total quantity of mercury contained in the product is less than or equal to the quantity set out in column 2 and the person manufactures or imports the product on or before the end date set out in column 3, for example:
|
Product Category |
Maximum Total Quantity of |
End date |
|
Button cell battery |
25 mg per battery |
31 December 2015 |
or, the person holds a permit as required
Exemption:
Certain products are exempted from the regulation, here are some examples:
a surface coating material as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Surface Coating Materials Regulations or a surface coating material applied to a toy regulated under the Toys Regulations;
A product, other than a battery, that has a mercury concentration of 0.1% or less by weight in homogeneous materials
A battery, other than a button cell battery, that has a mercury concentration of 0.0005% or less by weight in homogeneous materials
Beginning on 1 January 2016, a button cell battery that has a mercury concentration of 0.0005% or less by weight in homogeneous materials;
From 1 January 2016 until 31 December 2019, a button cell battery that is incorporated into a medical device that is intended to remain in the body for at least 30 consecutive days;
Labelling:
With few exceptions, all products containing mercury, if manufactured or imported intoCanada, require the following information readily visible on the product and packaging in both English and French:
the statement “Contains mercury / Contient du mercure”;
safe handling procedures and the measures to be taken in case of accidental breakage;
the options available for the disposal and recycling of the product; and
a statement to the effect that the product should be disposed of or recycled in accordance with the applicable laws.
Some products shall bear the symbol Hg indicated in a manner as required in the specified location.
