SGS Informs on Canada Regulations on Mercury in Consumer Products
In late 2014, Canada implemented measures to regulate mercury in consumer products.
Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., February 12, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Mercury Ban in Consumer Products
The new law provides certain exemptions for specific products. The enforcement date is dependent on the nature of the product and will start on 7 November 2015.
In March (1) and October 2013 (2), SGS informed about initiatives by China and the European Union to restrict mercury in electrical and electronic products.
In November 2014, the Canadian Government published the ‘Products Containing Mercury Regulations’ (SOR/2014-254) in the Canada Gazette to reduce mercury content in consumer products (3).
The new law places a general ban on mercury in products and also:
1. Provides a list of essentially electrical and electronic components; many of which have specific threshold limits and some with specific expiry dates. Details on product categories, maximum concentrations of mercury and expiry dates can be found under ‘SCHEDULE’ in the Regulation.
2. Provides a list of specific exemptions including:
− Surface coating materials under Surface Coating Materials Regulations or a surface coating material on toys under Toys Regulations.
− Button cell batteries incorporated into medical devices and intended to remain in the body for at least 30 consecutive days (1 January 2016 until 31 December 2019 inclusive).
3. Mandates the use of IEC 62321-4:2013 ‘Determination of Certain Substances in Electrotechnical Products – Part 4: Mercury in Polymers, Metals and Electronics by CV-AAS, CV-AFS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS as amended from time to time for electrotechnical products.
4. Requires a product containing mercury to submit an application for a permit. The application is obliged to contain details of applicant and product as well as evidence to demonstrate that there is no alternative. The permit is valid for three years and is renewable.
5. Requires labeling for products containing mercury (essentially electrical and electronic components in point 1 above). The label is to be stamped or labeled with certain information in both English and French, including:
− ‘Contains mercury / Contient du mercure’.
− Safe handling procedures and measures to be taken for accidental breakages.
− Options available for disposal and recycling of product.
6. Requires certain products or components in point 1 above to have the Hg symbol (mercury symbol) on the product or on an external surface of the product.
Enforcement of the New Canada Mercury Regulations
The enforcement of the new law is dependent on the nature of the product and will start on 7 November 2015 (one year after Registration in the Canada Gazette). Highlights of the new law are summarized in a table within the latest SafeGuards bulletin (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-01615-canada-controls-products-containing-mercury-a4-en-15.pdf).
References:
1 - SafeGuards bulletin # 46/13 – March 2013 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-04613-china-published-roadmap-to-gradually-reduce-the-mercury-content-in-fluorescent-lamps-a4-en-13.pdf)
2 - SafeGuards bulletin # 194/13 – October 2013 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-19413-cadmium-mercury-ban-for-batteries-a4-en-13.pdf)
3 - Products Containing Mercury Regulations (SOR/2014-254) (http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-11-19/html/sor-dors254-eng.php)
About SGS Testing and Safety Services for Consumer Goods
Throughout a global network of laboratories, SGS can provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy, for mercury and other restricted substances in consumer products (http://www.sgs.com/cgnr) for Canada and international markets.
Please do not hesitate to contact the SGS experts for further information.
Contact details:
SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hingwo Tsang, Ph.D.
CTS Toys and Juvenile Products
Information and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
5/F, 8/F, Manhattan Centre, 8
Hong Kong
t: +852 2774 7420
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.
The new law provides certain exemptions for specific products. The enforcement date is dependent on the nature of the product and will start on 7 November 2015.
In March (1) and October 2013 (2), SGS informed about initiatives by China and the European Union to restrict mercury in electrical and electronic products.
In November 2014, the Canadian Government published the ‘Products Containing Mercury Regulations’ (SOR/2014-254) in the Canada Gazette to reduce mercury content in consumer products (3).
The new law places a general ban on mercury in products and also:
1. Provides a list of essentially electrical and electronic components; many of which have specific threshold limits and some with specific expiry dates. Details on product categories, maximum concentrations of mercury and expiry dates can be found under ‘SCHEDULE’ in the Regulation.
2. Provides a list of specific exemptions including:
− Surface coating materials under Surface Coating Materials Regulations or a surface coating material on toys under Toys Regulations.
− Button cell batteries incorporated into medical devices and intended to remain in the body for at least 30 consecutive days (1 January 2016 until 31 December 2019 inclusive).
3. Mandates the use of IEC 62321-4:2013 ‘Determination of Certain Substances in Electrotechnical Products – Part 4: Mercury in Polymers, Metals and Electronics by CV-AAS, CV-AFS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS as amended from time to time for electrotechnical products.
4. Requires a product containing mercury to submit an application for a permit. The application is obliged to contain details of applicant and product as well as evidence to demonstrate that there is no alternative. The permit is valid for three years and is renewable.
5. Requires labeling for products containing mercury (essentially electrical and electronic components in point 1 above). The label is to be stamped or labeled with certain information in both English and French, including:
− ‘Contains mercury / Contient du mercure’.
− Safe handling procedures and measures to be taken for accidental breakages.
− Options available for disposal and recycling of product.
6. Requires certain products or components in point 1 above to have the Hg symbol (mercury symbol) on the product or on an external surface of the product.
Enforcement of the New Canada Mercury Regulations
The enforcement of the new law is dependent on the nature of the product and will start on 7 November 2015 (one year after Registration in the Canada Gazette). Highlights of the new law are summarized in a table within the latest SafeGuards bulletin (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-01615-canada-controls-products-containing-mercury-a4-en-15.pdf).
References:
1 - SafeGuards bulletin # 46/13 – March 2013 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-04613-china-published-roadmap-to-gradually-reduce-the-mercury-content-in-fluorescent-lamps-a4-en-13.pdf)
2 - SafeGuards bulletin # 194/13 – October 2013 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-19413-cadmium-mercury-ban-for-batteries-a4-en-13.pdf)
3 - Products Containing Mercury Regulations (SOR/2014-254) (http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2014/2014-11-19/html/sor-dors254-eng.php)
About SGS Testing and Safety Services for Consumer Goods
Throughout a global network of laboratories, SGS can provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy, for mercury and other restricted substances in consumer products (http://www.sgs.com/cgnr) for Canada and international markets.
Please do not hesitate to contact the SGS experts for further information.
Contact details:
SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hingwo Tsang, Ph.D.
CTS Toys and Juvenile Products
Information and Innovation Manager
SGS Hong Kong Limited
5/F, 8/F, Manhattan Centre, 8
Hong Kong
t: +852 2774 7420
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/ee
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.
Contact
SGS Consumer Testing Services
Hingwo Tsang, Ph.D.
+852 2774 7420
www.sgs.com/ee
SGS Hong Kong Limited
5/F, 8/F, Manhattan Centre, 8
Hong Kong
Hingwo Tsang, Ph.D.
+852 2774 7420
www.sgs.com/ee
SGS Hong Kong Limited
5/F, 8/F, Manhattan Centre, 8
Hong Kong
Contact
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