Environment and Climate Change Canada – Code of Practice for Reduction of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Emissions

The main objective of this Code of Practice (the Code) is to protect the environment and the health of Canadians while maintaining road safety by recommending best practices that encourage, when suitable, the use of low VOC emitting asphalt. Specifically, the Code aims to reduce VOC emissions from the asphalt sector by at least 40% over a 6-year period. The Code seeks to fulfil this objective by providing guidance to the manufacturers, importers, sellers and users of asphalt. In particular, it recommends ways to help reduce VOC emissions from the use of cutback asphalt and emulsified asphalt.

General compliance with this code would result in yearly VOC emissions from the use of asphalt being reduced by between 3 to 5 kilotonnes.

Measurement of this target will be determined by comparing the correlation between VOC emissions of the total quantities of asphalt manufactured during the 6-year period with the VOC emissions from the initial quantity of asphalt manufactured at the time of publication of this Code. This assessment will help determine whether it is necessary to amend the Code or develop another control instrument to better manage VOC emissions from the asphalt sector.

By applying the standards and best practices outlined in the Code, it is expected that the following benefits may be achieved:

reducing VOC emissions and generating environmental and health benefits from reducing the intensity and frequency of smog events;

improving air quality at the sites where asphalt is applied, thereby reducing the potential impact on the health of workers and local (especially urban) communities;

fostering consistency and alignment with similar measures in other jurisdictions in North America.

Please click on the following link for link to Environment and Climate Change Canada website overview of new code

http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=BBD8AD11-1

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