Draft Code of Practice: safe handling of dichloromethane-based paint strippers

Ottawa, Ontario
K1A OH3
July 3, 2002

Dear Madam / Sir:

In 1998, Environment Canada published a report entitled Strategic Options for the Management of Toxic Substances - Dichloromethane, Report of Stakeholder Consultations. This report made ten recommendations for the management of dichloromethane, one of which led to a Code of Practice to set voluntary standards for the safe handling, storage, and use of dichloromethane-based paint strippers in the commercial furniture refinishing and other stripping applications. The intent of the Code of Practice is to conserve solvent and minimize the release of dichloromethane.

Please find enclosed a copy of the draft Code of Practice for the Safe Handling, Use and Storage of Dichloromethane-based Paint Strippers in Commercial Furniture Refinishing and Other Stripping Applications, that was developed pursuant to section 54 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, now being distributed for public consultation. It would be appreciated if you could provide your written comments before September 20, 2002, to the address below.

Environment Canada will consider the comments received before this Code of Practice is finalized and a notice is published in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

If you have any questions please contact Indrani Kowlessar from the Chemicals Control Division at (819) 953-6182, or at indrani.kowlessar@ec.gc.ca.

Sincerely,

Bernard Madé
Chief, Chemicals Control Division
National Office of Pollution Prevention
Environment Canada
Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd., 12th Floor
Hull, Québec, K1A 0H3
Fax: (819) 994-0007