On July 9, the Canadian Government published a renewed version of its  Federal Agenda for the Reduction of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions from Consumer and Commercial Products in Canada Gazette, Part I. This agenda signals Canada’s intention to take further action between 2022 and 2030 to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of air pollution.

Among a list of action items in the renewed agenda are the following:

  • Amending current regulations targeting VOCs in architectural coatings based on the Ozone Transport Commission’s (OTC) Phase II Model Rule for AIM;
  • Amending current regulations targeting VOCs in automotive refinishing products based on the OTC Phase II Model Rule for Auto-refinish;
  • Developing regulations covering VOCs in industrial and commercial adhesives and sealants based on the OTC Model Rule for Industrial Adhesives & Sealants (and may consider some elements of the California South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Rule 1168); and
  • Developing a non-regulatory risk management instrument targeting VOC emissions from printing on plastic packaging.

The renewed agenda was finalized considering input from stakeholder consultations held in 2021. ACA will follow the lead of the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA), which is coordinating industry engagement with the Canadian regulatory authorities on this agenda.

Contact ACA’s Rhett Cash for more information.