Siloxane D4 in industrial effluents: pollution prevention planning notice
Note: All facilities that became subject to this notice when it was published have met the requirements of the notice. However, this notice remains in effect. Other facilities can still become subject to the notice. If so, they must prepare and implement a pollution prevention plan as per the deadlines below.
This notice applies to any owner or operator of:
- an industrial facility that manufactures or uses D4 or a mixture containing D4, where the total quantity of D4 used or manufactured is 100 kg or more during a calendar year, and
- as a result of manufacturing or use, the effluent at the final discharge point(s) of the facility contains D4
For more details, refer to the siloxane D4 in industrial effluents notice.
If you are uncertain whether you are subject to the notice, contact us for clarification or to obtain a notification of non-engagement form.
Deadlines
If you became subject to the notice after June 2, 2012, you must:
- prepare a pollution prevention plan within 12 months from the date you became subject to the notice and then submit a report (schedule 1) within 30 days following the end of the 12-month period
- submit the first interim progress report within 25 months from the date you became subject to the notice
- submit the second interim progress report within 37 months from the date you became subject to the notice
- submit the third interim progress report within 49 months from the date you became subject to the notice
- implement the pollution prevention plan within 60 months from the date you became subject to the notice and then submit a report (schedule 5) no later than 30 days following the end of the 60-month period
Reporting
You must complete and submit reports as required (see deadlines above).
Performance results
By July 1, 2017 (one year after the implementation of the pollution prevention plans), the 6 facilities subject to the notice had submitted their final declaration (schedule 5 of the notice). It summarizes the outcomes of their implemented pollution prevention plan. Five of the facilities have met the reduction target. The target consists either in reducing the D4 concentration in their effluents to a level that is less than or equal to 17.3 μg/L or in releasing a total quantity of D4 in their effluents that is less than or equal to 3 kg per year. The sixth facility also has fully implemented its pollution prevention, plan but despite achieving significant reductions in its D4 releases, it has not met the reduction target set out in the notice. For more information, see the performance report.
Update
In 2023 and 2025, Environment and Climate Change Canada conducted sampling as part of a wastewater monitoring program. This was meant to assess the extent to which D4 is released into the natural aquatic environment. D4 monitoring was also conducted where D4 concentrations were highest during the years 2013 to 2017. These years correspond to the implementation period of the pollution prevention plans and the subsequent year (when facilities were monitoring their releases). The concentration of D4 was measured in the effluent of these industrial facilities and in the effluent of the receiving municipal wastewater treatment plants. For two of the sampled industrial facilities, this concentration was higher than the target of 17.3 µg/L set out in the notice. However, it remained much lower than the concentrations observed before the implementation of the pollution prevention plans. Also, the concentration of D4 measured in the effluent of the receiving municipal wastewater treatment plants allowed us to estimate that the concentration of D4 in the receiving natural environment remains below the estimated no-effect concentration.
Time extension
Environment Climate Change Canada granted Les Emballages Knowlton Inc. (LEKinc.) a time extension to prepare their pollution prevention plan. The deadline was extended to October 1, 2013.
Related information
- Pollution prevention planning notices and your legal obligations
- Create and implement your pollution prevention plan
- Information sheet
- Final screening assessment report
Past consultations
- Proposed notice (PDF)
- Response to comments on the proposed notice
- Consultation document
- Response to comments on the consultation document
Contact us
Technical inquiries regarding the content of this notice:
Chemical Production Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: pgpc-dppc-cmp-cpd@ec.gc.ca
Inquiries regarding reporting and pollution prevention practices:
Regulatory Innovation and Management Systems Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: planp2-p2plan@ec.gc.ca