Responsibilities of importers, recyclers or sellers of tetrachloroethylene (PERC)

If you import tetrachloroethylene (PERC) into Canada for any purpose, sell PERC to owners or operators of dry cleaning machines, or recycle PERC in Canada, the information on these pages will help you understand your obligations under the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations. You are considered to be a recycler if you recover, clean or reclaim PERC, but not if you only recycle or reclaim PERC in a dry-cleaning machine [section 12].

You may consult the reporting requirements guidance to determine your reporting requirements and due dates:

• Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) Reporting Requirements under the Solvent Degreasing Regulations and Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations  

General responsibilities: [sections 11, 12, 13]

If you are an importer/recycler and/or seller, you must:

• maintain books and records about PERC that you import, recycle and/or sell
• file a report to the Minister by April 30 of each year

Please note that you can complete and sign your annual reporting form using the PDF forms provided on this page. Additional information on how to sign your report electronically can be found here: 

• How to sign and submit your annual report electronically

You are encouraged to submit your completed and signed annual report as a PDF by email to ECCC at produits-products@ec.gc.ca or you may mail your report to the address list here:

• Environment and Climate Change Canada contact information

Reporting Forms

Importers of PERC for any purpose:

If you are an importer, you must file annual reports, including information outlined in Schedule 1 of the PERC Regulations:

• Annual Report for Importers of PERC into Canada

A completed example of the report can be found here: 

• Example Annual Report for Importers of PERC

If you import and sell PERC for solvent degreasing, you may also have reporting requirements under the Solvent Degreasing Regulations. To find out more, please visit the Solvent Degreasing Regulations site.

Sellers of PERC to owners or operators of a dry-cleaning machine:

If you are a seller, you must file annual reports including information outlined in Schedule 3 of the PERC Regulations:

• Annual report for Sellers of PERC 

A completed example of the report can be found here: 

• Example Annual Report for Sellers of PERC

Recyclers of PERC

 If you are a recycler, you must file annual reports, including information outlined in Schedule 2 of the PERC Regulations.

• Annual Report for Reclyclers of PERC in Canada

A completed example of the report can be found here: 

• Example Annual Report for Recyclers of PERC

Specific responsibilities of sellers: [section 5]

Sellers of PERC for use in dry cleaning have other obligations in addition to the general responsibilities described above. If you are a seller, you may not sell PERC to owners and/or operators of a dry-cleaning machine unless the dry-cleaning machine:

• uses the same drum for the washing, extraction, drying and aeration cycles;
• has a built-in refrigerated condenser that recovers PERC vapour in the recirculated air from the drum of the machine;
• keeps PERC vapour in the drum from venting into the open air during the washing, extraction, drying and aeration cycles;
• has a built-in PERC-water separator;
• has a manufacturer's design rating for PERC consumption equal to or less than 10 kg or 6.2 L of PERC per 1000 kg of clothing cleaned, or alternatively was installed or in use prior to August 1, 2003; and
• is used in a dry-cleaning facility that is equipped with:
  1. (i) a PERC-impermeable secondary containment system encompassing at least the entire surface under each dry-cleaning machine, tank or other container holding PERC, waste water or residue and capable of containing at least 110% of the capacity of the largest tank or container within the containment system; and
  2. (ii) PERC-resistant drain plugs that are readily available to seal all floor drains into which PERC, waste water or residue may flow in the event of a spill.

Although care has been taken to ensure that the compliance promotion information accurately reflects the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations, the Act and its regulations prevail over the text of this compliance promotion package in case of any discrepancies or inconsistencies. This compliance promotion information does not supersede or modify the Act or the regulations.