PCB Regulations

Act: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, R.S.C. 1999, c. 33
Regulation: PCB Regulations, SOR/2008-273

To Whom Does This Apply?

Eligible Activities

Storage and use of Chlorobiphenyls (PCBs) and products containing PCBs including equipment.

Summary

The PCB Regulations consolidate and replace the Chlorobiphenyls Regulations, SOR/91-152 and the Storage of PCB Material Regulations, SOR/92-507.

The PCB Regulations set specific deadlines for ending the use of PCBs in concentrations at or above 50 mg/kg, eliminating all PCBs and equipment containing PCBs currently in storage and limiting the period of time PCBs can be stored before being destroyed.

These requirements, together with the more stringent release limits, will further reduce releases of PCBs into the environment. The labelling and reporting requirements for PCBs provide the necessary information to monitor progress towards end-of-use targets. The Regulations also establish sound practices for the better management of the remaining PCBs in use (i.e. those with content of less than 50 mg/kg), until their eventual elimination, to prevent contamination of dielectric fluids and dispersion of PCBs in small quantities into other liquids.

It is expected that the deadlines for ending the use and storage of PCBs will result in the removal of 90% of the PCBs still in use and 100% of the PCBs currently in storage by the end of 2009. The remaining PCBs, comprising equipment in use containing low level concentrations of PCBs (i.e. less than 500 mg/kg) will be eliminated by 2025.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Manitoba Contact(s):
See National Contact.

 

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National Contact(s):

Waste Reduction and Management Division
Environment Canada
Place Montcalm
70 Crémazie Street
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-997-3377
Fax: 819-994-1412
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-6767
TTY (hearing impaired): 819-994-0736
E-mail: use the form at http://www.ec.gc.ca/wmd-dgd/default.asp?lang=En&n=99A6F450-1&xsl=communicationservices,response
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/wmd-dgd/default.asp?lang=En&n=FDC36D83-1