Deadline approaching for asbestos presentations

The public has until March 22, 2018 to submit their comments on the proposed regulations before they are finalized On January 6, 2018, after a year of consulting with the public and industry, the government published the final draft of proposed regulations.

The proposed regulations would prohibit the future use of asbestos with a limited number of exclusions and would prevent new asbestos and products containing asbestos from entering the Canadian market. The regulations would allow for existing products, like building materials installed in buildings, to reach the end of their life.

The Canadian government announced in 2016 that they would prohibit the manufacture, use, import and export of asbestos and products containing asbestos by 2018.

Please take the time to read the following statements about asbestos and the automotive and maintenance industry that were included in the consultation document:

“The cement and automotive sectors import products containing asbestos, and are expected to comply by switching to imports of asbestos-free products.”

“Using average import data from 2013 to 2016 for friction materials containing asbestos, it is estimated that 333, 000 brake pads containing asbestos are imported on an annual basis. Assuming that there is a $5 incremental difference in price between brake pads containing asbestos and asbestos-free brake pads, it is expected that the automotive industry would carry operating costs of approximately $21 million over the time frame of analysis.”

“For the cement and automotive industries, the proposed Regulations would result in substitution costs of $29 million that could affect their profitability.”

“It is estimated that about 4 300 workers (or <5%) in the automotive repair and maintenance industry could be exposed to asbestos due to the removal of friction materials containing asbestos (e.g. brake pads and clutches).”

“The government administrative costs are estimated to be about $4 million, and the administrative and compliance costs for the construction and automotive sectors are estimated to be about $30 million.”

“Approximately 99% of the workers who would potentially benefit from the proposed Regulations are currently employed in the construction and automotive industries.”

On February 6, 2018, Environment Canada is hosting two webinars – one in English, the other in French – during which the proposed regulations will be presented. If you are interested in participating in either of these webinars, please contact Erin Chreptyk at erin.chreptyk@aiacanada.com to obtain the necessary registration form.

To read the proposed regulations, please review the following document: http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2018/2018-01-06/html/reg3-eng.html

Comments can be submitted to:

Chemicals Management Division

Environment and Climate Change Canada

351 St-Joseph Blvd., 10th floor

Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: ec.amiante-asbestos.ec@canada.ca