Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits For Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations
Disclaimer
This document provides a high level summary of the regulations and does not include all legal requirements. If there is any inconsistency or conflict between the information contained in this document and the Canada Gazette, Part II (CGII) published text and/or the Justice Canada regulatory text, the CGII and Justice Canada text prevails.
The Government of Canada has set limits on volatile organic compound concentrations contained in automotive refinishing products. The Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations include a number of requirements for manufacturers, importers and sellers of these products. The purpose of the regulations is to protect the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing the release of VOCs into the atmosphere, as they can contribute to the formation of smog and degrade air quality.
Automotive refinishing products subject to the regulations include coatings and surface cleaners applied to motor vehicles and mobile equipment to refinish the surface or prepare the surface for its coating. Mobile equipment includes cars, motorcycles, trucks, trailers, street cleaners and farm equipment.
If you manufacture, import or sell automotive refinishing products, to comply with the main requirements of the regulations you must:
- ensure that product VOC concentrations do not exceed the maximum limits listed below;
- ensure proper product labelling, including date of manufacture and, if applicable, dilution or combination instructions;
- maintain records for a period of at least five years.
| Product Category | VOC Concentration Limit (g/L) |
|---|---|
| Primer Surfacer | 250 |
| Primer Sealer | 340 |
| Pre-Treatment Wash Primer | 660 |
| Adhesion Promoter | 840 |
| Colour Coating | 420 |
| Uniform Finish Coating | 540 |
| Truck Bed Liner Coating | 310 |
| Temporary Protective Coating | 60 |
| Underbody Coating | 430 |
| Single-Stage Coating | 420 |
| Multicolour Coating | 680 |
| Clear Coating | 250 |
| Other Coatings | 250 |
| Surface Cleaners | 50 |
Long description
The first container represents a can of car paint. The second container represents a thinner. A thinner is a product used to thin paints.
The third container represents a product hardener. The bottom container is a larger container that represents the final product. Downward arrows on each of the three above containers indicate that any or all of the products can be emptied and mixed into the large bottom container. The large container contains the final product.
NOTE: For products sold as multiple components, the maximum VOC concentration applies to the final product after all components have been combined according to the product instructions. Whether the final product is mixed at the point of sale or later by the consumer, the maximum concentration applies.
For additional information
Questions and inquiries can be directed to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Products Division
1-888-391-3426 (toll free) or 819-938-4483
Email: Produits-Products@ec.gc.ca
Website: Volatile organic compounds in consumer and commercial products
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