Consultation on Refractory Ceramic Fibres |
| |
Refractory Ceramic Fibres (RCFs) are amorphous man-made vitreous fibres produced from the melting of calcined kaolin clay or a combination of alumina and silica. RCFs are principally industrial products, used as insulating, reinforcing and fire protection material for furnaces, heaters, kiln linings, furnace doors, metal launders, tank car insulation, and related products designed to be used at high temperature. RCFs were assessed as toxic to human health in 1994, and under Environment Canada's Toxic Substances Management Policy, are categorized as Track 2 substances, which require a life-cycle management approach. |
| |
An Environmental Performance Agreement (EPA) was signed in 2002 with six RCF companies. The focus of the EPA was on environmental emissions monitoring, inspections and product stewardship. The EPA included provisions for review after the first two years of monitoring required by the Agreement. Environment Canada met with the Canadian refractory ceramic fibre industry in February 2004 to review monitoring data and discuss potential revisions to the EPA, including the establishment of specific RCF emission limits, monitoring requirements and a verification program based on lessons learned in implementing the original Agreement. In addition, there was a need to better define the product stewardship program and to include four companies that were not original participants. |
| |
Environment Canada is currently seeking help from the Canadian Environmental Network to identify one or two environmental non-government organizations that would be interested in reviewing and providing comments on the draft EPA (below). The work involved would include the review of background materials and draft EPA, possible participation in a conference call to discuss the materials and comments, and the writing of a report including recommendations, to be completed in a short time period. |
| |
| To view the Draft EPA, please click here |
| |
| The deadline to apply is November 11, 2005. If you are interested in participating in this consultation, please complete the online registration form indicating your position, affiliation, experience and area of expertise. |
| |
| For more information, please contact Manon Crôteau, National Caucus Assistant, tel.: (613) 728-9810 ext. 29. |
| |
Other Background Documents: |
Strategic Options Report for RCF ,which reports the results of stakeholder consultations held after RCFs were found to be toxic to human health. The purpose of the consultations was to recommend options to reduce exposure and/or environmental impacts and to find out whether regulations were warranted. |
| Environment Canada’s initial proposal to the RCF Working Group for changes to the 2002 EPA, upon which the current draft EPA is based. The proposal was presented to the Working Group at a meeting on February 11, 2004. |
Notes from the February 11, 2004 RCF Working Group Meeting
Additional information is available on Environment Canada's Management of Toxic Substances website |
