Current Regulations

Gasoline and Gasoline Blend Dispensing Flow Rate Regulations (SOR/2000-43)

The Gasoline and Gasoline Blend Dispensing Flow Rate Regulations prohibit retailers and wholesale purchaser-consumers of benzene-containing gasoline and gasoline blends from using, or offering for use, any nozzle to dispense those fuels into on-road vehicles if the flow rate from the nozzle exceeds 38 litres per minute. Wholesale purchaser-consumers are primarily vehicle fleet operators with central refuelling facilities. The Regulations allow the flow rate to be controlled by any means in the pump/dispenser system, thereby giving parties the flexibility of limiting fuel dispensing flow rates in the manner that is best-suited for their facilities. The flow rate limit does not apply to any fuel dispensing nozzle that is dedicated exclusively to refuelling heavy-duty vehicles. The Regulations came into effect on Feb. 1, 2001.

The Regulations protect the health of Canadians by reducing emissions of benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment during the refuelling of on-road vehicles. This is achieved by ensuring that in-use fuel dispensing flow rates do not exceed the design capacity of the filler pipes on the existing fleet of vehicles and of new on-board refuelling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems being introduced on Canadian vehicles. ORVR systems are designed to reduce refuelling vapour emissions of benzene and other VOCs by 95% and to perform effectively with fuel dispensing flow rates up to 38 litres per minute.

Contact Information:

Blair Stacey
Regulatory Development
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec   K1A 0H3
Phone number: (819) 953-9236
Fax number: (819) 953-7815
Email address: Blair.Stacey@ec.gc.ca

Publication Information:

Regulatory Text:

About alternate file formats