News and Updates
January 2011
The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) consolidated Ontario’s five ozone-depleting substances (ODS) regulations into one new single regulation (O. Reg. 463/10). The consolidation modernizes the ODS regulations by updating and removing obsolete requirements, some of which have not been amended since the early 1990s.
The consolidation also included amendments to make the regulation consistent with requirements of the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 and to harmonize with the National Action Plan for the Environmental Control of Ozone-depleting Substances and their Halocarbon Alternatives 2001 (NAP).
Labour Mobility for Refrigerant Technicians
The Ontario Labour Mobility Act (OLMA) came into force in 2009. The OLMA has mandatory requirements for the improvement of labour mobility for certified workers in professions and trades in Ontario.
The amendments to Ontario’s ODS regulation improve labour mobility for certified workers in Ontario and recognize individuals who hold an authorizing certificate issued by an out-of-province regulatory authority under certain conditions. These conditions are indicated in section 34 (3) of O. Reg. 463/10 and include:
- Providing the Director with a copy of the person’s authorizing certificate;
- The certificate issued under section 34 is, in the opinion of the Director, in respect of the same occupation as the person’s authorizing certificate;
- Providing the Director with confirmation in writing from the out-of-province regulatory authority that:
- the out-of-province regulatory authority issued the person’s authorizing certificate,
- the authorizing certificate has not expired, and
- the authorizing certificate has not been cancelled or revoked; and
- Providing the Director with a signed statement that:
- the person has obtained the training material for the course mentioned in section 34 (1) of O. Reg. 463/10, and
- the person is, in his or her opinion, knowledgeable about the legislation and regulation that govern the use and handling of ozone-depleting substances, halocarbons, refrigerants and refrigeration equipment in Ontario.
Refrigerant technicians and individuals that currently require an Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) card in Ontario will experience no changes with respect to their certification requirements.
New Halon Requirements
The new consolidated ODS and Halocarbon regulation restricts the refilling of halon fire extinguishing equipment. These restrictions will minimize the release of halons into the atmosphere and are harmonized with the NAP.
Ontario’s ODS and Halocarbon regulation:
- Prohibits the refilling of portable halon-containing fire extinguishers with the exception of critical uses*;
- Provides for one refill of fixed halon containing fire protection systems between 2011 and 2015 on the condition that the system is replaced by an alternative within a year of refill with the exception of critical uses*;
- Prohibits the refilling of fixed halon-containing fire protection systems effective January 1, 2016 with the exception of critical uses*.
* Critical uses are in an aircraft or formilitary purposes where alternatives to halon are still very limited.
Ontario’s ODS and Other Halocarbon regulation (O. Reg. 463/10) is available at Ontario’s e-laws website.
January 2009
As of January 1, 2009 the making, using, discharging or transferring of a solvent that contains HCFC-225, also known as dichloropentafluoropropane, are banned under O. Reg. 717/94.
Further information relating to the Solvents Regulation is available in the FAQs.
Background - O.Reg. 717/94 - Solvents:
On July 1, 2001 Ontario Regulation 717/94 banned the use of Class II HCFC solvents, except HCFC-225. As of January 1, 2009 the making, using, discharging or transferring of HCFC-225 is banned under the regulation.
If you have any further questions on ODS, please contact us at our toll free number: 1-877-689-6110.
May 8th, 2007
The Ontario government has approved regulatory changes to further protect the Earth's ozone layer. On May 8th, 2007 Minister Laurel Broten announced the approval and final release of the revisions to Ontario’s Refrigerants Regulation (new release and backgrounder).
For further information relating to changes to the Refrigerants Regulation please refer to the FAQs.
Background:
The Ministry posted a Proposal Notice to amend Ontario's Refrigerants Regulation, O. Reg. 189/94, between June 27th and August 26th 2006. The Ministry received 472 comments which were taken into account in the recently announced amendments. For further information on the comments received and the Ministry's response you may refer to the EBR Decision on Regulation.
O.Reg. 717/94 - Solvents
The amended regulation defers the phase-out of one Class II solvent (known as AK 225) until December 31, 2008. All other Class II solvents were banned effective July 1, 2001. In addition, the Ministry of the Environment now requires users of this solvent to submit annual reports on efforts to reduce emissions of the solvent.
If you have any further questions on ODS, please contact us at:
Our information hotline: toll free at 1-877-689-6110
May 8, 2007 Revisions to FAQs.
