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Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations (SOR/2021-268)

Regulations are current to 2024-03-06 and last amended on 2023-01-01. Previous Versions

SCHEDULE 1(Subsections 1(1) and (4), 2(1) and 3(1) and (3), paragraph 3(4)(a), sections 4, 5 and 7, subsection 8(1), subparagraphs 8(2)(c)(ii) and (v) and 11(1)(c)(ii), subsection 11(2), paragraph 13(d), subparagraph 14(c)(ii), subsection 15(1), paragraphs 15(2)(d) and (h), subsection 16(1), paragraph 17(1)(a), subsection 18(1), paragraphs 18(2)(d), (i) and (j), subsection 19(1), sections 22 and 23 and subsection 24(1))Product Categories and VOC Concentration Limits

  • Marginal note:Definitions

    1 The following definitions apply in this Schedule.

    cleaner or duster for energized equipment

    cleaner or duster for energized equipment means a product that is designed to clean or dust equipment while there is an electrical current in the equipment or while there is a residual electrical potential from a component such as a capacitor. (nettoyant ou dépoussiéreur d’équipements sous tension)

    contact adhesive

    contact adhesive means non-aerosol adhesive – other than rubber cement that is designed for use on paper substrates and vulcanizing fluid that is designed solely for tire repair — that

    • (a) is designed for application to surfaces to be bonded together;

    • (b) is to dry before the surfaces are placed in contact with each other;

    • (c) forms an immediate bond that makes it difficult or impossible to reposition the adhesive-coated surfaces after they are placed in contact with each other; and

    • (d) does not require sustained pressure or the clamping of surfaces to establish an adherence between the surfaces after the adhesive-coated surfaces have been brought together using momentary pressure. (adhésif de contact)

  • Marginal note:Aerosol

    2 For greater certainty, in this Schedule, a reference to “aerosol” does not include pump sprays.

  • Marginal note:Overview

    3 The table to this Schedule sets out VOC concentration limits for each product category or, if applicable, subcategory.

TABLE

Column 1Column 2Column 3
ItemProduct CategorySubcategoryMaximum VOC Concentration (% w/w)
Personal Care Products
1Astringent, toner or clarifier, including astringent, toner or clarifier products that are impregnated in a substrate but excluding any product that is regulated as a drug under the Food and Drugs Act35
2Antiperspirant for the human axilla
  • (i) aerosol,

  • (A) in the case of a high vapour pressure VOC, 40,

  • (B) in the case of a medium vapour pressure VOC, 10

  • (ii) non-aerosol

0
3Deodorant for the human axilla
  • (i) aerosol,

  • (A) in the case of a high vapour pressure VOC, 0,

  • (B) in the case of a medium vapour pressure VOC, 10

  • (ii) non-aerosol

0
4Heavy-duty hand cleaner or soap, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a prescription drug;

  • (b) an antimicrobial hand or body cleaner or soap;

  • (c) an astringent or toner;

  • (d) a general-use hand or body cleaner or soap; or

  • (e) rubbing alcohol

  • (i) non-aerosol,

1
  • (ii) all other forms

8
5Hairstyling mousse designed to facilitate styling or provide limited holding power6
6Hair products that are designed for the primary purpose of creating a shine when applied to the hair, excluding any product whose primary purpose is to condition or hold the hair55
7Hairspray that is designed to hold or finish styled hair, excluding any product that aids in styling without holding the hair55
8Temporary hair-colour products that are designed to add colour, glitter or UV-active pigment to hair, wigs or fur or to cover thinning or balding areasaerosol55
9Any hairstyling product other than those referred to in items 5 to 8
  • (i) aerosol or pump spray,

6
  • (ii) all other forms

2
10Nail polish remover1
11Personal fragrance products, excluding any product that is
  • (a) designed to alleviate fungal or bacterial growth and regulated as a drug under the Food and Drugs Act;

  • (b) a skin care product that is designed to alleviate skin conditions such as dryness or irritations;

  • (c) designed exclusively to be applied to genitalia, undergarments or sanitary pads;

  • (d) designed for cleaning the body; or

  • (e) designed for use in the mouth

  • (i) product containing fragrance less than or equal to 20% based on net weight,

75
  • (ii) product containing fragrance greater than or equal to 20% based on net weight

65
12Shaving cream or foamaerosol5
13Shaving gelaerosol4
Maintenance Products
14Automotive brake cleaner10
15Automotive rubbing or polishing compound that is designed to remove oxides, old paint, scratches, swirl marks or other defects from the painted surfaces of motor vehicles without leaving a protective barrier17
16Automotive wax, polish, sealant or glaze that is designed to enhance the painted surfaces of motor vehicles, seal out moisture from those surfaces or increase their gloss, excluding any product that is
  • (a) both a wash and a wax;

  • (b) a surfactant-containing wash; or

  • (c) for use on unpainted surfaces

  • (i) hard paste wax that does not contain water,

45
  • (ii) instant detailer that is in pump-spray format and is to be wiped off before the product dries,

3
  • (iii) all other forms

15
17Cleaners for carburetors, chokes, associated linkages or fuel-injection air intakes, including throttle bodies, excluding any product that is
  • (a) designed solely for introduction into a fuel line or a fuel storage tank; or

  • (b) pressurized and designed for introduction directly into air-intake vacuum lines during engine operation by using a sprayer wand

10
18Automotive wash, excluding any product that is designed exclusively for use on locomotives or aircraftnon-aerosol0.2
19Products designed to remove the following from the painted surfaces of motor vehicles:
  • (a) biological residue (such as insects or tree sap); or

  • (b) road grime (such as tar, road-marking paint or asphalt)

40
20Undercoating products that provide a protective, non-paint layer to the undercarriage, trunk interior or firewall of motor vehicles to prevent the formation of rust or deaden sound, including rubberized, mastic and asphaltic productsaerosol40
21Windshield water repellent75
22Tire or wheel cleaner, excluding any product that is designed solely for use on locomotives or aircraft
  • (i) aerosol,

8
  • (ii) non-aerosol

2
23Pressurized tire sealant and inflator20
24Rubber or vinyl protectant, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a clear aerosol coating that does not contain pigments and is designed to be applied over any other coating; or

  • (b) an aerosol coating that contains pigments or resins and is designed exclusively for vinyl

  • (i) aerosol,

10
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
25Engine degreaser that is designed to remove grease, oil or other contaminants from the external surfaces of engines or other mechanical parts
  • (i) aerosol,

10
  • (ii) non-aerosol

5
26Lubricants, excluding any product that is
  • (a) an automotive power-steering fluid;

  • (b) designed for use inside power-generating motors, engines or turbines or associated power-transfer gearboxes;

  • (c) a two-cycle motor oil or another product that is designed to be added to fuels;

  • (d) a lubricant that is designed solely for releasing manufactured products from moulds; or

  • (e) a dry lubricant that is designed to provide lubricity by depositing a film of solid material (such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide, chemically related fluoropolymers or boron nitride)

  • (i) multi-purpose lubricants that are not solid or semi-solid,

25
  • (ii) silicone-based multi-purpose lubricants that are not solid or semi-solid,

60
  • (iii) penetrating lubricants designed primarily for loosening metal parts that have bonded together,

25
  • (iv) aerosol anti-seize lubricant,

40
  • (v) non-aerosol anti-seize lubricant,

3
  • (vi) aerosol cutting or tapping oil,

25
  • (vii) non-aerosol cutting or tapping oil,

3
  • (viii) aerosol gear, chain or wire lubricant, excluding lubricant designed solely for use on chains of chain-driven vehicles,

25
  • (ix) non-aerosol gear, chain or wire lubricant, excluding lubricant designed solely for use on chains of chain-driven vehicles,

3
  • (x) aerosol rust-preventative or rust-control lubricant,

25
  • (xi) non-aerosol rust-preventative or rust-control lubricant

3
27Metal polish or cleanser, excluding any product that is
  • (a) designed solely for automotive or marine detailing; or

  • (b) designed for use in degreasing tanks

  • (i) aerosol,

15
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
28Air freshener, including air fresheners with disinfecting properties but excluding any product that
  • (a) is a cleaning product; or

  • (b) consists entirely of fragrance and any combination of low vapour pressure VOCs and compounds other than VOCs

  • (i) single-phase aerosol,

30
  • (ii) double-phase aerosol,

20
  • (iii) liquid or pump spray,

18
  • (iv) solid or semi-solid,

3
  • (v) aerosol that is designed for use as a disinfectant and air freshener

60
29Bathroom or tile cleaner
  • (i) aerosol,

7
  • (ii) non-aerosol

1
30Carpet or upholstery cleaner, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a vinyl or leather cleaner;

  • (b) a dry-cleaning fluid; or

  • (c) designed for use solely at industrial facilities engaged in furniture or carpet manufacturing

  • (i) aerosol,

5
  • (ii) non-aerosol

1
31Disinfectant, excluding any product that
  • (a) is a moist towelette designed solely for use by medical, convalescent or veterinary establishments;

  • (b) is designed for use on heat-sensitive critical or semi-critical medical devices or medical-equipment surfaces;

  • (c) is represented to have disinfecting or antimicrobial properties and designed for use as a glass cleaner, toilet or urinal cleaner or deodorizer, metal polish or cleanser, or fabric refresher;

  • (d) is designed for application on food contact surfaces and does not require the surface to be rinsed after use; or

  • (e) is designed solely for use on humans or animals, in agriculture or in swimming pools, therapeutic tubs or hot tubs

  • (i) aerosol,

70
  • (ii) non-aerosol

1
32Dusting aids designed to remove dust or other dirt from any surface without leaving a wax or silicone-based coating
  • (i) aerosol,

17
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
33Electrical-equipment cleaner that is designed to remove heavy dirt (such as grease or oil) from electrical equipment (such as an electric motor, armature, relay, electric panel or generator), excluding any product that is
  • (a) a cleaner or duster for energized equipment; or

  • (b) designed for cleaning the casings or housings of electrical equipment

45
34Electronics cleaner that is designed to remove dirt, dust, moisture, flux or oxides from the internal components of electronic or precision equipment (such as circuit boards) or the internal components of electronic devices (such as radios, compact disc players, digital video disc players or computers), excluding any product that is
  • (a) a cleaner or duster for energized equipment; or

  • (b) designed for cleaning the casings or housings of electronic equipment

75
35Fabric refresher that is designed to neutralize or eliminate odours on soft surfaces (such as fabric, rugs, carpeting, footwear or athletic equipment), excluding any product that is designed for use on both fabric and human skin
  • (i) aerosol,

15
  • (ii) non-aerosol

6
36Fabric protector that is designed to protect against soiling or reduce the absorption of liquid, excluding any product that is
  • (a) designed exclusively to repel water from fabric;

  • (b) designed for use primarily for colouring;

  • (c) a clear aerosol coating that contains no pigment and is designed to be applied over any other coating; or

  • (d) an aerosol coating that contains pigments or resins and is designed exclusively for use on fabric

  • (i) aerosol,

60
  • (ii) non-aerosol

1
37Floor polish or wax that is designed for polishing, waxing, conditioning, protecting, temporarily sealing or otherwise enhancing floor surfaces by leaving a temporary protective finish
  • (i) product designed for use on flexible flooring,

1
  • (ii) product designed for use on non-flexible flooring,

1
  • (iii) product designed solely for use on wood flooring, excluding any product that cleans and waxes or cleans and polishes

70
38Floor maintenance products that are designed to maintain, restore or enhance a previously applied floor finish, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a floor polish; or

  • (b) designed solely for the purpose of cleaning floors or the maintenance of marble floors

1
39Floor wax stripper, excluding any product that is designed to remove wax or polish solely by abrasion
  • (i) non-aerosol products that are designed to remove a light or medium buildup of polish or wax,

3
  • (ii) non-aerosol products that are designed to remove a heavy buildup of polish or wax

12
40Footwear or leather care products that are designed to clean or protect footwear or leather articles or maintain, enhance or modify their appearance, durability, fit or flexibility, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a rubber or vinyl protectant;

  • (b) designed solely for deodorizing;

  • (c) a sealant with adhesive properties used to create an external protective layer greater than 2 mm thick; or

  • (d) an aerosol coating that contains pigments or resins and is designed exclusively for use on vinyl, fabric, leather or plastic

  • (i) aerosol,

75
  • (ii) solid,

55
  • (iii) all other forms

15
41Furniture maintenance products that are designed for polishing, protecting or enhancing finished surfaces, excluding any product that is designed solely for the purpose of cleaning or to leave a permanent finish (such as stains, sanding sealers or lacquers)
  • (i) aerosol,

12
  • (ii) non-aerosol, except one that is in solid or paste form

3
42General-purpose hard-surface cleaner
  • (i) aerosol,

8
  • (ii) non-aerosol

0.5
43General-purpose degreaser, excluding any product that is designed for use solely in solvent cleaning tanks or related equipment
  • (i) aerosol,

10
  • (ii) non-aerosol

0.5
44Glass cleaner, excluding any product that is designed solely for the purpose of cleaning eyeglasses or cleaning lenses used in photographic equipment, scientific instruments or photocopiers
  • (i) aerosol,

10
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
45Graffiti remover
  • (i) aerosol,

50
  • (ii) non-aerosol

30
46Laundry pre-wash that is designed to enhance the effectiveness of laundry detergents during wet-cleaning
  • (i) aerosol or solid,

22
  • (ii) all other forms

5
47Laundry starch or sizing or finishing products4.5
48Multi-purpose solvent that is designed to disperse, dissolve or remove contaminants or other organic materials, excluding any product that is designed
  • (a) for use in cold, vapour or conveyorized degreasers;

  • (b) for use in film-cleaning machines; or

  • (c) solely for cleaning equipment used to apply polyaspartic or polyurea coatings

  • (i) aerosol,

30
  • (ii) non-aerosol

30
49Hard-surface anti-odour product
  • (i) aerosol,

25
  • (ii) non-aerosol

6
50Oven or grill cleaner that is designed to remove grease or deposits from food-preparation or food-cooking surfaces
  • (i) aerosol or pump spray,

8
  • (ii) non-aerosol

4
51Paint or coating remover or stripper, excluding any product that is a paintbrush cleaner or hand cleaner50
52Thinner or viscosity reducer for paints, lacquers or other coatings, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a solvent or thinner for use by artists;

  • (b) designed solely for thinning industrial maintenance coatings, zinc-rich primers or high-temperature coatings; or

  • (c) designed for use solely as an essential component in a specific coating

  • (i) aerosol,

30
  • (ii) non-aerosol

30
53Pressurized-gas duster, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a cleaner or duster for energized equipment; or

  • (b) designed for use near an open flame

1
54Spot remover
  • (i) aerosol,

15
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
55Toilet or urinal cleaning or deodorizing products
  • (i) aerosol,

10
  • (ii) non-aerosol

3
56Wood cleaner, excluding any product that is designed solely for preserving or colouring wood
  • (i) aerosol,

17
  • (ii) non-aerosol

4
Adhesives, Adhesive Removers, Sealants and Caulks
57Acoustical sealant10
58Structural waterproof adhesive7
59Non-aerosol adhesive
  • (i) special-purpose contact adhesive that

  • (A) is packaged in a quantity of more than 236 ml but less than 3.785 l and is designed for use in bonding the following to any surface:

    • (I) melamine-covered board,

    • (II) unprimed metal,

    • (III) unsupported vinyl,

    • (IV) fluoropolymers,

    • (V) ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE),

    • (VI) rubber,

    • (VII) high-pressure laminate, or

    • (VIII) wood veneer that is less than or equal to 1.5875 mm thick, or

80
  • (B) is designed for use in the following automotive applications:

    • (I) engine compartments requiring resistance to heat, oil or gasoline, or

    • (II) body side moulding, weatherstrip or decorative trim,

80
  • (ii) general-purpose contact adhesive that is packaged in a quantity of less than 3.785 l,

55
  • (iii) single-component construction, panel or floor-covering adhesive — other than floor-seam sealers that are designed for use on installed flexible sheet flooring — that is packaged in a quantity of less than or equal to 475 ml or less than or equal to 454 g and that is designed for use on

    • (A) structural and building components (such as beams, trusses, studs, panelling, moulding or countertops), or

    • (B) floor or wall coverings,

7
  • (iv) general-purpose adhesive that is packaged in a quantity of less than or equal to 475 ml or less than or equal to 454 g

10
60Aerosol adhesive with a spray mechanism that is permanently housed in a non-refillable can that is designed for hand-held application without the need for any other hose or spray equipment
  • (i) the following special-purpose spray adhesives:

  • (A) mounting adhesive designed for permanently affixing photographs, artwork or any other drawn or printed media to a backing (such as paper, board or cloth),

70
  • (B) adhesive for flexible vinyl that has at least 5% by weight of plasticizer content,

70
  • (C) adhesive that is designed for use in automotive engine compartments and that, at temperatures of 93°C to 135°C, provides resistance to oil and plasticizer and has high shear strength,

70
  • (D) polystyrene foam adhesive,

65
  • (E) automotive headliner adhesive,

65
  • (F) polyolefin adhesive,

60
  • (G) laminate-repair or edge-banding adhesive designed for

    • (I) touching up or repairing materials (such as sheet materials made of paper, fabric or other core materials) that have been laminated to a substrate at temperatures exceeding 129°C and pressures between 6 850 kPa and 9 650 kPa, or

    • (II) touching up, repairing or attaching edge-banding materials (such as other laminates, synthetic marble, veneers, wood moulding or decorative metals),

60
  • (ii) mist or particle spray adhesive,

65
  • (iii) web spray adhesives other than those referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii)

55
61Adhesive remover
  • (i) floor or wall covering adhesive remover,

5
  • (ii) gasket or thread-locking adhesive remover, including products designed for use as both a paint stripper and gasket or thread-locking adhesive remover,

50
  • (iii) specialty adhesive remover that is designed to remove reactive adhesives (such as epoxies, urethanes or silicones) that require a hardener or catalyst for the bond to occur,

70
  • (iv) general-purpose adhesive remover

20
62Sealant or caulking compound that is packaged in a quantity of less than or equal to 475 ml or less than or equal to 454 g and that is designed to fill, seal, waterproof or weatherproof gaps or joints between two surfaces, excluding any product that is
  • (a) a roof cement or sealant;

  • (b) an insulating foam;

  • (c) a removable caulking compound that is designed to temporarily seal windows or doors;

  • (d) a clear, paintable caulking compound that is immediately water-resistant;

  • (e) a floor-seam sealer;

  • (f) designed solely for automotive applications;

  • (g) a sealer that is to be applied as a continuous coating; or

  • (h) a pipe-thread or pipe-joint compound

4
Miscellaneous Products
63Anti-static product
  • (i) aerosol,

80
  • (ii) non-aerosol

11
64Non-stick aerosol cooking spray18
 

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