Competition Bureau

News & Resources > Reports & guidelines > Bulletins > Net Quantity Information Bulletin - Paints and Other Coatings

Tools

• Enquiries & Complaints
• FAQs

Related topics

• About the Acts
• Fees & Service Standards

Net Quantity Information Bulletin - Paints and Other Coatings

1996

---

The Fair Business Practices Branch (FBP) administers the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and other consumer product related Acts. FBP's mandate is to ensure that consumers are provided with basic product information for making purchasing decisions, to prevent false and misleading representations and to promote marketplace equity. Information such as the product's generic name, the net quantity and the business's identity are mandatory on the package labels.

FBP has noted a history of low compliance with the net quantity of "paints and other coatings" in the past years. As a result, in 1996 FBP officers conducted inspections to determine the net contents of these products at all levels of the trade. Examples of the products inspected are: latex paints, alkyd paints, stains, primers, sealants, urethane coatings, deck coatings and other similar types of products.

The inspections revealed that 27% of these products failed to contain the net quantity declared on the label.

It is the responsibility of the packing establishment to ensure that packages contain the declared net quantity on the label. For products which may be coloured by adding tint at the retail store, the amount of product in the container PRIOR TO the addition of the tint must meet the net quantity declaration.

FBP officers will be conducting follow-up inspections in 1997 to reassess the compliance. It is suggested that you review your policies and procedures and make any changes necessary to ensure that the declared net quantity is accurate.

---

For more information please contact your nearest Fair Business Practices Branch office of Industry Canada.

For additional information regarding the requirements under the Hazardous Products Act which may apply to paints, coatings and other potentially hazardous products, please contact your nearest Health Canada, Product Safety Bureau, office listed in the blue pages of your local phone book.

For additional information regarding packaging and labelling of anti-microbial paints, coatings, and other similar products (anti-fouling/anti-fungual paints & coatings, pest control related coatings, wood preservatives, etc..), please contact your nearest Health Canada, Pest Management Regulatory Agency, office listed in the blue pages of your local phone book.