1.

Notifying Member: Canada

If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible: Department of the Environment and Department of Health

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

Canada's SPS & TBT Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

Technical Barriers and Regulations Division (TIB)

111 Sussex Drive

Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2

Canada

Telephone: (343) 203-4273

Fax: (613) 943-0346

E-mail: enquirypoint@international.gc.ca

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [X], 5.7.1 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (ICS: 13.020, 71.080, 71.100)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Proposed Ozone?Depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (42 pages, available in English and French)

6.

Description of content: Severe depletion of the ozone layer over the Antarctic has been occurring since 1979 and a general downturn in global ozone levels has been observed since the early 1980s. In 1987, Canada signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (the Montreal Protocol), under which Parties must phase out the production and consumption of a wide range of chemicals known to contribute to ozone depletion, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons and methyl bromide. As a result of the Montreal Protocol there has been a reduction of over 97% of all global consumption of these controlled ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).

CFCs, HCFCs and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are all classified as halocarbons and are included in the fluorocarbons niche market. CFCs and HCFCs are also ozone-depleting substances, while HFCs are potent greenhouse gases and are alternatives to CFCs and HCFCs for use in applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning.

The objective of the proposed Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations (proposed Regulations) is to repeal and replace the Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations, 1998 and introduce new requirements to achieve the following:

·         Continue to ensure Canada's international obligations under the Montreal Protocol are met;

·         Introduce a permitting and reporting system for HFCs;

·         Support provincial and territorial controls by introducing a prohibition on the manufacture and import of HCFC and HFC refrigerants in non-refillable containers;

·         Allow the transfer of methyl bromide for exempt uses among users, thereby reducing stocks and the need for imports.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of the environment and human health

8.

Relevant documents:

·                Canada Gazette, Part I, 21 March 2015, pages 565-606 (available in English and French)

·                Proposed notice of intent (notified under G/TBT/N/CAN/434) http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2014/2014-12-06/pdf/g1-14849.pdf

9.

Proposed date of adoption: Normally within 6 to 8 months of publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I

Proposed date of entry into force: These Regulations come into force on the date on which they are registered

10.

Final date for comments: 4 June 2015

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

The electronic version of the regulatory text can be downloaded at:

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2015/2015-03-21/pdf/g1-14912.pdf

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2015/2015-03-21/html/reg1-eng.php http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2015/2015-03-21/html/reg1-fra.php