Mercury is a heavy metal that can be present in the environment in many different forms as a result of natural processes or human activity. Once in the environment, mercury can be carried over long distances in the atmosphere and deposited everywhere in Canada, including sensitive areas, such as the Canadian Arctic. Mercury can be transformed into a highly toxic, naturally occurring compound called methylmercury, which bioaccumulates in the aquatic food chain. Exposure to mercury is of higher concern in Canadian communities, such as those of Indigenous Peoples, who rely on the consumption of predatory fish and other traditional foods.
The current Products Containing Mercury Regulations, published on November 19, 2014, do not fully align with all the requirements of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which Canada ratified in 2017.
Adjustments to the allowable mercury content limits of three lamp products, exempt from the general mercury prohibition in the Regulations are required to fully align with the Convention. Other amendments to the Regulations are proposed to align with recent industry standards and international regulatory initiatives. Further, ongoing administration of the Regulations has identified the need to clarify some provisions of the regulatory text, such as those related to labelling, testing, reporting, and record keeping.
The public is invited to read and submit comments on the updated information found in the Regulations Amending the Products Containing Mercury Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 156, No. 52 at: https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2022/2022-12-24/html/reg1-eng.html
The public comment period ends on March 9, 2023.
Website Inquiries may also be made at:
Canada.ca (Chemical Substances) Website Inquiries
c/o Health Canada
A.L. 4905B
Ottawa (ON) K1A 0K9
[email protected]
Government of Canada
Visit the Canada Gazette or Natural Resources Canada’s website for more detailed information.
For any questions or inquiries contact:
Office of Energy Efficiency
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E4
Telephone: 613‑614‑4151
Email: [email protected]