Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association: environmental performance agreement overview

This environmental performance agreement (the agreement) was in effect from October 31, 2002, to December 31, 2007.

For a copy of the agreement, email: ec.epa-epe.ec@canada.ca

Objective

To achieve verifiable reductions in the use, generation, and release of priority substances in the automotive parts sector, giving priority to pollution prevention. The agreement focuses on sector-wide targets to reduce substances - including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), greenhouse gases and smog precursors, metals, and substances listed on schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) - through participation by Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) member companies in achieving voluntary reductions, implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems, and developing and implementing a facility-specific pollution prevention plan.

Signatories

The agreement was negotiated between Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Industry Canada, and the APMA.

Participating facilities

• Dana Canada's Thorold Operations
• Canadian General-Tower Limited, Cambridge Operations
• Linamar Corporation
• Dortec Industries, a division of Magna Closures
• Martinrea International Inc.

Targets

The APMA committed to an aggregate 20% reduction per unit of output of VOC emissions from the participating Ontario-based companies and an aggregate 3% reduction of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of output from all participating companies between the 2000 baseline year and 2007. Calculating the reductions on a per unit of output basis will allow for increases in demand for auto parts to be taken into account.

Participating APMA companies have committed to a verifiable reduction in the use, generation, and release of specific substances listed in appendix I of the agreement, which include greenhouse gases, metals, and substances falling into the categories of halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons.

Participating companies have committed to screen their inventories and implement pollution prevention plans for these substances, using the best available technology that is economically achievable. Each participant also aims to implement an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system.

Performance results

This agreement’s objective was not met due to its low participation rate. There were approximately 254 companies in this sector, 25 of which were estimated to have VOC concerns, however only 5 companies participated in the agreement.

Despite the low participation rate, the association did confirm that the participating companies met the 20% reduction of VOC emissions and 3% reduction of CO₂ emissions.

The association provided evidence that the following VOC substances were reduced well beyond the 20% target:

• methyl ethyl ketone by 91%
• toluene by 96%
• xylene by 93%
• iso alcohol by 84%

CO₂ emissions were reduced by 1872 tonnes.

Background information

In 1993, a Memorandum of Understanding was negotiated between the APMA and ECCC, which concluded in 1997.

This agreement promotes voluntary verifiable reduction or elimination of the use, generation, and release of toxic substances by Canada's economically important automotive parts sector.

Health Canada and ECCC intend to develop regulations under CEPA 1999 for national VOC emission standards for certain categories of consumer products. VOCs are precursor pollutants that form ground-level ozone and particulate matter in smog that are produced by and present in many consumer and commercial products.

The APMA member companies collectively account for over 90% of the $35 billion automotive parts industry production in Canada. The agreement focuses on Ontario companies, because the membership of APMA is overwhelming based in Ontario. It is estimated that up to 25 APMA member companies have VOC issues.

Contact us

Regulatory Innovation and Management Systems
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Blvd Saint-Joseph
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: ec.epa-epe.ec@canada.ca