Benzene in Gasoline

Act: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, c. 33.
Regulation: Benzene in Gasoline Regulations, SOR/97-493 (amended SOR/99-204, SOR/2000-102 and SOR/2003-318)

To Whom Does This Apply?

The Regulation applies to manufacturers, blenders and importers of gasoline. It does not apply to blenders that only blend complying gasolines, or only add additives, commercially pure butane or commercially pure oxygenates to complying gasoline. Certain sections also apply to anyone selling gasoline.

Eligible Activities

Manufacturing, blending, importing or sale of gasoline.

Summary

The purpose of the Benzene in Gasoline Regulation is to prohibit the supply after July 1, 1999 of gasoline that contains benzene at a concentration exceeding 1.0% by volume. It also prohibits the sale or the offer for sale of gasoline that contains benzene at a concentration that exceeds 1.5% by volume after July 1, 2000 in the northern supply area, and October 1, 1999 everywhere else in Canada.

The regulation also prohibits the supply of gasoline after July 1, 1999 that exceeds a benzene emission number of 71 during the summer, and 92 during the winter.

The option of meeting the requirements on the basis of a yearly pool average is available.

Products Affected

• gasoline

Products Exempted

• aviation gasoline
• specialty gasolines for racing
• gasoline that is exported
• gasoline for scientific research
• gasoline in transit
• gasoline-like blendstock

These products are subject to record keeping requirements.

Requirements

The Regulations set limits for the level of benzene in gasoline and for the Benzene Emissions Number (a calculated parameter that relates gasoline composition to predicted vehicle tailpipe emissions of benzene). There are options for refineries, importers and blenders to meet the limits on a per-litre basis or on an annual average basis. The Regulations specify registration, record keeping and reporting requirements as well as sampling and analysis requirements for those opting to meet limits on the basis of an annual average.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Quebec Contact(s):
See National Contact.

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National Contact(s):
Environmental Protection Publications Centre
Environment Canada
Telephone: 613-953-5921 or 613-953-5750
Fax: 819-953-7253
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html

Chief, Fuels Division
Oil, Gas and Energy Branch
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau, Quebec  K1A 0H3
Telephone: (819) 953-4673
Fax: (819) 953-8903
Web site: http://www.ec.gc.ca/envhome.html