Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations

The Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations set maximum limits for sulphur in on-road, off-road, rail (locomotive) and marine (vessel) diesel fuels. The production, import and sales limits and effective dates of the regulations are summarized in the table below.

1 - September 1, 2007 in the Northern Supply Area
2 - December 1, 2008 in the Northern Supply Area
3 - December 1, 2011 in the Northern Supply Area

The goal of the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations is to ensure that the level of sulphur in diesel fuel used in on-road, off-road, locomotive and vessel diesel vehicles and engines in Canada will not impede the effective operation of advanced emission control technologies installed on vehicles and engines.

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Regulations

• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (Department of Justice) - includes the consolidated regulations which reflects the amendments (may not reflect recent amendments)
• Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (CEPA 1999 Environmental Registry) - includes the original regulations and amendments
• Guidance Document on the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations (CEPA 1999 Environmental Registry) - includes the original regulations and amendments
• Reply to comments received on the May 2001 discussion document "Reducing the Level of Sulphur in Canadian On-Road Diesel Fuel"
• Reducing the Level of Sulphur in Canadian On-Road Diesel Fuel - A Discussion Paper on Designing Canadian Regulations to Align with the New U.S. Standard (May 2001)
• Reply to Comments on Submissions Received on the Proposed Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations Published on December 20, 2001 in Part I of the Canada Gazette (July 2002) [ pdf 1,781 kb ]

Reporting Forms

Schedule 1 of the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations
Quarterly Report of Sulphur Concentration in Diesel Fuel

This schedule is a form that sets out the information on volumes and sulphur level of diesel fuel, including biodiesel that is required to be reported by producers and importers under paragraph 5(1) of the regulations.

Download schedule 1 (pdf)

For further information regarding this schedule and reporting requirements, please refer to section 5 of the Guidance document for the regulations. You may also contact Environment Canada at ogeb@ec.gc.ca.

Schedule 2 of the Sulphur in Diesel Fuel Regulations
Report by Producers and Importers of Diesel Fuel

This schedule is a form that sets out the information that is required to be reported by producers and importers under subsection 5(4) of the regulations. The information to be provided includes whether persons produce or import diesel fuel, including biodiesel, for use in on-road, off-road, vessel, locomotive vehicles or engines or for other uses, typical annual volumes, facility location for producers, and usual port of entry and mode of importation for importers.

Download schedule 2 (pdf)

For further information regarding this schedule and reporting requirements, please refer to section 5 of the Guidance document for the regulations.

You may also contact Environment Canada at ogeb@ec.gc.ca.

Test Methods

The regulations specify ASTM D 5453-00, Standard Test Method for Determination of Total Sulfur in Light Hydrocarbons, Motor Fuels and Oils by Ultraviolet Fluorescence as the reference test method for measuring sulphur. (The test method is available from the American Society for Testing Materials.)

The regulations include provisions for equivalent methods to be used for reporting purposes. A producer or importer of diesel fuel proposing to use an equivalent test method for reporting purposes must provide to Environment Canada at least 60 days before using the method a description of the method and evidence that it is equivalent. Please refer to the regulations for specific requirements.

Equivalency for reporting purposes has been demonstrated in accordance with the regulations for the following methods:

• ASTM D-7039: Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Gasoline and Diesel Fuel by Monochromatic Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry - for sulphur concentrations in diesel fuel in the range of 2 to 500 mg/kg
• ASTM D-2622-98: Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products by Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence
• CAN/CGSB-3.0 No. 16.0-95: Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Diesel Fuel by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF) - for sulphur concentrations in diesel fuel greater than 500 mg/kg.

Producers or importers proposing to use the above test methods for reporting under the regulations may refer to this information in respect of the required evidence of equivalency.

For further information regarding the requirements under the regulations regarding test method, , please refer to section 5 of the Guidance document for the regulations.

Reports

Environment Canada produces annual reports on reported levels of sulphur in fuels, including diesel fuel:

• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2005 (html) (pdf)
• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2004 (html) (pdf)
• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2003 (html) (pdf)
• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2002 (html) (pdf)
• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2001 (html) (pdf)
• Sulphur in Liquid Fuels 2000 (summary)

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.

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