Notice of danger to human health or safety and risk mitigation for containers of pourable alcohol-based fuels and portable firepots that use pourable fuels
Last updated: July 4, 2023
Health Canada's mandate includes helping to protect the public by addressing or preventing dangers to human health or safety posed by consumer products. For that purpose, Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Program (CPSP) administers and enforces the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and its regulations.
Danger to human health or safety
Health Canada has assessed the hazards associated with the use of containers of pourable alcohol-based fuel without a functional flame mitigation device in conjunction with portable firepots. The combined use of these products can result in a flame jetting occurrence that may pose a fire or burn hazard to the user or bystanders.
Based on the Health Canada has determined that the following products pose a danger to human health or safety:
- Certain containers of pourable alcohol-based fuel that do not have a flame mitigation device that meets the performance criteria outlined in ASTM F3429 / F3429M – 20, Standard Specification for Performance of Flame Mitigation Devices Installed in Disposable and Pre-Filled Flammable Liquid Containers, or the equivalent, for the useful life of the product; and
- Certain portable firepots that use pourable fuels that do not conform to the applicable criteria set out in ASTM F3363-19, Standard Specification for Unvented Liquid/Gel Fuel-Burning Portable Devices, or the equivalent.
Risk Mitigation
Containers of pourable alcohol-based fuel – Based on the information currently available, ASTM F3429 / F3429M – 20, or the equivalent, may be sufficient to mitigate the danger to human health or safety associated with flame jetting occurrences that may result from the use of certain containers of pourable alcohol-based fuels.
Portable Firepots – Based on the information currently available, ASTM F3363-19, or the equivalent, may be sufficient to mitigate the danger to human health or safety associated with flame jetting occurrences that may result from the use of certain portable firepots that use pourable fuels.
You can find additional details about the scope of products affected and the hazard in the danger to human health or safety assessment.
Responsibilities
Manufacturers, importers, advertisers and retailers are reminded that:
- Consumer products that are a danger to human health or safety are prohibited from being manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada according to paragraphs 7(a) and 8(a) of the CCPSA;
- It is the responsibility of industry to ensure that the products they supply to the Canadian market comply with the CCPSA and its regulations;
- Conformance with the identified criteria does not mean that the products are fully compliant with the CCPSA;
- Health Canada recognizes that there may be other possible health or safety concerns with the use of these or similar products;
- Industry should review their products for all potential hazards and respond appropriately to make sure they are safe for consumers; and
- The CPSP operates as a post-market regulatory regime, meaning that there is no pre-market review or approval of consumer products by Health Canada.
Health Canada may take immediate compliance and enforcement actions in line with the Department's compliance and enforcement policy framework when it has reasonable grounds to believe that a consumer product is a danger to human health or safety. Regulated parties that fail to comply voluntarily may be subject to enforcement actions under the CCPSA, which may include seizure, orders to take corrective measures, orders to recall products, administrative monetary penalties, or criminal prosecution.
Health Canada will continue to monitor the situation and may update this Notice and the associated Danger to Human Health or Safety Assessment as warranted.
Information resources
If you require additional information regarding this Notice, visit the resources below or contact a Health Canada Consumer Product Safety Office via email (hc.ccpsa-lcspc.sc@canada.ca) or telephone at 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free within Canada and the United States).
- The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and its regulations
- Industry Guidance – "Danger to Human Health or Safety" Posed by Consumer Products
- Information for Regulated Parties on the Enforcement Approach for the General Prohibitions under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
- ASTM F3429 / F3429M – 20 – Standard Specification for Performance of Flame Mitigation Devices Installed in Disposable and Pre-Filled Flammable Liquid Containers
- ASTM F3363-19 – Standard Specification for Unvented Liquid/Gel Fuel-Burning Portable Devices
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