1. Introduction
The substance phenol, 4,4'-(1-methylethylidene) bis, Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number (CAS RN) 80-05-7, referred to throughout this document as "bisphenol A", was included in Batch 2 of the Challenge initiative under the Chemicals Management Plan [1].
As proposed in the Risk Management Approach for bisphenol A, published in October 2008 [2], the Government of Canada indicated it would consider developing regulations establishing maximum bisphenol A concentrations in industrial effluents and require the implementation of an environmental management system to ensure best management practices are adopted at facilities where bisphenol A is used. These proposed risk management actions are intended to achieve the lowest level of release of bisphenol A from industrial facilities to water that is technically and economically feasible.
The intent of this consultation paper is to encourage discussion and to give interested and affected parties an opportunity to provide input into the bisphenol A regulatory proposal for industrial effluent. This consultation focuses on the environmental and economic issues associated with the proposed industrial effluent regulations. Please note that there may be other initiatives developed to address emissions from other sources. Health concerns associated with use of bisphenol A are currently being managed by Health Canada.
The consultation paper aims to:
- Inform interested stakeholders of the regulatory proposal;
- Provide an opportunity for interested stakeholders to contribute to the development of the proposed risk management instrument; and
- Ensure that Environment Canada addresses any questions or concerns from interested stakeholders on the proposed risk management of bisphenol A in industrial effluent.
The Government of Canada is committed to providing interested and affected parties with the opportunity to take part in consultations at all stages of the regulatory development process. All interested parties may comment on the regulatory proposal in writing by mail, fax or e-mail to the addresses provided in Section 7 of this document.
It is expected that potential interested and affected parties may include: non-government organizations, provincial, territorial and federal government departments, industries and companies belonging to the following sectors: adhesive and sealant; chemical manufacturing and distribution; polymer manufacturing; paints and coatings; packaging; resin and synthetic rubber manufacturing; concrete product manufacturing; plastics and plasticizer manufacturing and distribution; rubber manufacturing; automotive, aircraft and transportation sector; metals, metallurgical, metal plating sector; mining and mineral products; petroleum, oil well treatment and drilling; pulp and paper; textiles; and other commercial manufacturing.
The general objective of the current consultation is to invite stakeholders to provide their comments on the regulatory proposal for bisphenol A and contribute to the development of recommendations based on a common understanding of the environmental benefits to be achieved through the proposed risk management instrument. The specific objectives are to:
- Identify interested and affected stakeholders;
- Discuss feasibility and timelines for the implementation of proposed regulations;
- Assess the economic impact associated with the regulatory proposal;
- Solicit comments on the proposed maximum allowable concentration of bisphenol A release from industrial effluent;
- Identify sampling and testing methodologies (e.g. detection limits, precision and accuracy) to evaluating and monitoring bisphenol A releases from industrial effluents;
- Solicit comments on the proposed requirement to develop an Environmental Management System; and,
- Identify technologies, that are economically feasible, to control, mitigate or eliminate the release of bisphenol A to water (e.g. control and capture technologies, chemical alternatives, better handling practices).
[1] https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/challenge/batch-2.html
[2] http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/challenge/batch2/batch2_80-05-7_rm_en.pdf (PDF; 135KB)
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