The Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations set a maximum limit of 15 mg/kg for sulphur in on-road diesel fuel (starting June 1, 2006) that is produced or imported for use or sale in Canada and for on-road diesel fuel that is sold or offered for sale. (Until 2006, the limit is 500 mg/kg.) Discussion documents on the design of the Canadian regulation are available under Fuel Reports.

Environment Canada is considering potential amendments to the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations that would add minor flexibility to facilitate the 2006 introduction of lower sulphur diesel fuel for on-road use. The flexibility would align with a change that the U.S. EPA has announced to allow a slightly higher limit of 22 mg/kg for on-road diesel fuel sold in the initial 45 days. More on the amendments to add minor flexibility.

Environment Canada also plans to implement a regulatory limit for sulphur in off-road diesel fuel, aligned in level and timing with requirements that have been set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA). A Discussion Paper on Designing a Canadian Regulation to Align with the New U.S. Standard was released on August 12, 2003. The Reply to Comments on Submissions Received on the August 2003 Discussion Document was published in October 2004.The proposed amending regulations to reduce sulphur in off-road, rail and marine diesel fuel were published in the Canada Gazette Part I on October 2, 2004.

More on the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations.

Environment Canada carried out a survey of diesel fuel in 2001 / 2002. Refiners and importers were requested to provide information on the levels of cetane, aromatics and PAHs in both on-road and off-road diesel between July 2001 and December 2002. More on the voluntary survey on diesel fuel quality.