List of environmental performance agreements

Draft agreements

Below are the draft agreements.

Refractory ceramic fibre industry (2023 to 2033)

• Consultation period: Opened on August 22, 2023, and is open for a 30-day public comment period ending on September 21, 2023.
• Objective: To renew the industry’s commitment to maintain emissions of refractory ceramic fibres to air below levels that are protective of human health, from facilities where they are manufactured and/or processed.

Active agreements

Below are the active agreements.

Chlorhexidine (2022 to 2027)

• Objective: To protect the aquatic environment by minimizing participating companies’ releases of chlorhexidine and its salts, from their facilities that formulate chlorhexidine-based products.
• Results: Results will be summarized and posted after the first annual reports are received.

Tin stabilizers in the vinyl industry (2020 to 2025)

This is the third agreement with the vinyl industry. The first agreement was in effect from 2008 to 2013 and the second agreement was in effect from 2015 to 2020.

• Objective: To prevent the release of tin stabilizers into the environment, through the full implementation of the Guideline for the environmental management of tin stabilizers in Canada (the guideline) by all vinyl compounding facilities using tin stabilizers in Canada. The guideline recommends best practices for handling, storage, use and disposal of tin stabilizers.
• Results: The first consolidated annual report was submitted by the Vinyl Institute of Canada to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for the period April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. This report indicates that all participating facilities have fully implemented the practices as outlined in the guideline.

Base metal smelters sector (2018 to 2025)

• Objective: To implement the base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) for emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and particulate matter (PM) developed for the base metals smelting and refining sector.
• Results: Annual reports were submitted to the Government of Canada in 2022 by all of the 8 participating facilities, however 2 facilities submitted their annual report after the deadline. The reports contain data on releases of PM and SO₂. All of the 8 facilities met their BLIERs targets.

Iron ore pellet sector (2018 to 2026)

• Objective: To implement the base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) for emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) developed for the iron ore pellet sector.
• Results: Both companies submitted their 2021 annual report. Reports were verified by ECCC and indicate that both companies met their emissions target for PM_2.5 as well as their sulphur content in fuel targets for 2021.

Aluminium and alumina sector (2017 to 2025)

• Objective: To implement the base level industrial emissions requirements (BLIERs) for emissions of polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (PAH), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), total particulate matter (TPM) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) developed for the aluminium and alumina sector.
• Results: All companies submitted their 2021 annual report. All reports were verified by ECCC and indicated that all companies met their emissions targets for SO₂, TPM, PM_2.5 and PAH for 2021.

Completed agreements

Below are the completed agreements.

Bisphenol A in paper recycling mill effluents (2013 to 2017)

• Objective: To initiate action by paper recycling mills to minimize the risk of environmental impacts from their effluent releases of Bisphenol A (BPA) to the greatest extent practicable.
• Results: All facilities met the risk management objectives of the agreement except one facility that attributed it to lower quality raw material (higher than usual BPA concentration in recycled paper stock).

Perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and their precursors (2010 to 2015)

• Objective: To have participating companies:
  • work towards the elimination of residual perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), residual long chain PFCAs and residual precursors in perfluorochemical products sold in Canada
  • collect and report information on their perfluorochemical products sold in Canada that contain these chemicals (residual and non-residual)
• Results: All of the four participating companies (Arkema Canada Inc, Asahi Glass Company Ltd., Clariant Canada Inc. and E.I. du Pont Canada Company) have reported reductions in the content of residual PFOA, long chain PFCAs and precursors, measured against their baseline years. The reductions that have been reported from baseline years range from 23.6-99.9%.

E.I. DuPont Canada on production of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) (2010 to 2016)

• Objective: To set environmental performance objectives for the production of HCFCs in Canada, which, at the time of signing are not covered by the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations.
• Results: DuPont's production level of HCFCs in Canada is in line with the performance agreement objective, which is not to exceed 122.9 ozone-depleting potential tonnes. Canada is in compliance with its obligations under the Montreal Protocol for its production of HCFCs.

Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) (2008 to 2014)

• Objective: To set environmental performance objectives with respect to atmospheric emissions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from Rio Tinto Alcan's Söderberg plants in Kitimat, British Columbia, and Beauharnois and Shawinigan, Quebec. In addition, the agreement included a timeline for achieving the objectives and called for the development of a continuous improvement plan, annual reporting of progress made, and verification of the achievement of the objectives by an independent expert.
• Results: Measures that were implemented by RTA in the context of this agreement resulted in reductions of PAHs atmospheric emissions of about 300 tonnes per year. When this agreement was signed in 2008, Söderberg aluminium production technology was the largest source of industrial emissions of PAHs in Canada. Since October 15, 2015, this technology is not being used anymore in Canada.

Alcoa Ltd. (2008 to 2009)

• Objective: To set environmental performance objectives with respect to atmospheric emissions of PAHs from Alcoa Ltd.'s Söderberg plant in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The agreement sets out a timeline for achieving the objectives and calls for the development of a continuous improvement plan, annual reporting on progress made, and verification of the achievement of the objectives by an independent expert.
• Results: The performance objective established for 2008 and described in the appendix to this agreement was achieved for the facility in Baie-Comeau, Quebec. The company has chosen to continue with the performance verification process beyond the end of the agreement.

Locomotive emissions with the Railway Association of Canada (2007 to 2010)

• Objective: To establish a framework to reduce emissions of criteria air contaminants and greenhouse gases from railway locomotives operated by railway companies in Canada.
• Results: The report Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program 2009 demonstrates progress achieved by railway operators in meeting 2010 greenhouse gas (GHG) efficiency-based targets set out in the MOU as well as commitments related to emissions of criteria air contaminants.

2-Butoxyethanol (2007 to 2012)

• Objective: To ensure that any commercial paint and coatings for indoor use containing more 2-butoxyethanol than the limits set out in Schedule 1 of the Regulations would not be sold to the general public.
• Results: Results were mixed, with some companies fully meeting all of the objectives, and others achieving lower levels of conformity with the agreement. The 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations protect the health of Canadians by setting limits for the concentration of 2-butoxyethanol in products designed for indoor use. The concentration limits apply to products that are manufactured, imported, offered for sale or sold in Canada. The agreement did encourage several signatories to phase out the use and reformulate 2-butoxyethanol from their products, or to stop selling products that contained it. The health of Canadians remains protected through the prohibition of paints and coatings sales to the general public that exceed the limits under the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations which came into force in 2008.

Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (2004 to 2008)

• Objective: To achieve verifiable reductions in the use, generation and release of specified priority substances used in the screen printing and digital imaging sectors, focusing on, but not limited to, volatile organic compounds.
• Results: The 5 participants reduced their combined emissions by over 50%, from 14.2 tonnes in 2000 to 6.8 tonnes in 2003. The target for 2008 was a 20% reduction from base-year emission levels.

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA) (2002 to 2007)

• Objective: To achieve verifiable reductions in the use, generation, and release of substances in the automotive parts sector, giving priority to pollution prevention. The agreement focused on sector-wide targets to reduce substances including volatile organic compounds, greenhouse gases and smog precursors, metals, and other substances listed on Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Voluntary reductions were to be achieved by participating APMA member companies by implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and through developing and implementing facility-specific pollution prevention plans.
• Results: The APMA and the Government of Canada actively sought companies from this sector to participate in the agreement, through site visits, communications and information sharing. 5 companies signed on to the agreement (Canadian General-Tower Ltd. Cambridge Operations, Dortec Industries, a Division of Magna Closures, Dana, Linamar Corporation and Martinrea International Inc.). An audit protocol was developed by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Plus 1165 protocol) for the APMA. No further results were reported.

Dow Chemical Canada Inc. (2001 to 2006)

• Objective: To implement a management strategy for 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) to minimize emissions at the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta production facility and the North Vancouver, British Columbia distribution facility.
• Results: Dow Chemical Inc. met all of the requirements specified in the agreement and reduced emissions of DCE from its facilities.

Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA) (2001 to 2005)

• Objective: To reduce the release of chemical substances through voluntary, non-regulatory action under CCPA Responsible Care® by encouraging and publicly recognizing progress on the part of the CCPA and its member companies. The 2001 MOU established, as an initial action, an annex on volatile organic compounds with measurable targets. It also included provisions to add additional commitments, annexes, and signatories to the agreement.
• Results: The CCPA member companies reduced their volatile organic compounds emissions to 11 818 tonnes in 2002, meeting the 25% reduction target.

Agreements signed prior to 2001

Below are the agreements signed prior to 2001.

Algoma Steel Inc. (2001-2005)

• Objective: To reduce or eliminate specific substances and certain air emissions, improve the management of solid waste and contaminated sediments, and other objectives defined in the agreement.
• Results: Through the 11 semi-annual reports submitted, Alcoma Steel Inc. demonstrated that they committed to all the objectives of the agreement.

Dofasco Inc. (1997 to 2005)

• Objective: To protect and enhance the natural environment, prevent and abate releases to the environment from Dofasco’s facilities, and other objectives defined in the agreement
• Results: No results available.