Release guidelines for chemicals used in the rubber product manufacturing sector (“Guidelines”)
The Guidelines have been in effect in Canada since April 4, 2026.
Objective
The Guidelines provide guidance and concentration targets to reduce industrial effluent releases of substances of concern. The initial substances included in the Guidelines are:
- Thioperoxydicarbonic diamide ([(H2N)C(S)]2S2), tetramethyl- (TMTD) (CAS RN 137-26-8)
- 1,4-Benzenediamine, N,N'-mixed Phenyl and tolyl derivatives (BENPAT) (CAS RN 68953-84-4)
Target audience
The Guidelines apply to any person or entity who owns or operates a rubber product manufacturing facility that:
- uses any of the substances of concern listed in Appendix 1
- releases an effluent containing any of the substances of concern
Adopting the Guidelines
If the Guidelines apply to you, you are encouraged to:
- minimize releases of substances of concern from your facilities so that concentration targets are met (the procedure to estimate a facility’s concentration of substances of concern is found in Appendix 3)
- conduct effluent sampling, where applicable, to determine the effluent concentration for the substances of concern, as outlined in section 6
- apply the best management practices outlined in the Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of Chemical Substances in the Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber Sectors that are applicable to the substance of concern at the facility
- report annually as outlined in section 7
Read the Guidelines
Release guidelines for chemicals used in the rubber product manufacturing sector (PDF, 1.23MB)
Reporting
Declaration of the operator
The person or entity responsible for a facility to which the Guidelines apply should inform, in writing, the Minister of Environment of the intention to implement the Guidelines by completing the Declaration of the operator provided in Appendix 2 of the Guidelines. Facilities are encouraged to submit their declaration electronically.
Annual evaluation report
Any person or entity to which the Guidelines apply should provide Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with an annual evaluation report for every year a substance of concern is used, by June 1 of the following calendar year starting June 1, 2027. The annual report is in Appendix 3 of the Guidelines. Facilities are encouraged to submit their declaration electronically. Facilities are encouraged to submit their declaration electronically.
Sampling reporting exemption
If a facility meets the conditions for this sampling reporting exemption as per section 6 of the Guidelines, they should submit the declaration of sampling reporting exemption provided in Appendix 4 of the Guidelines confirming that sampling is not needed for this reporting year and that section 4 of the annual evaluation report will not be submitted. Facilities are encouraged to submit their declaration electronically.
Contact ECCC to request fillable PDF reporting forms at: pgpc-dppc-cmp-cpd@ec.gc.ca.
Privacy Act Notice
The personal information is collected under the authority of section 5 of the Department of the Environment Act and subsection 7(1) of the Financial Administration Act.
The information is collected, used and disclosed by ECCC for the purpose of policy analysis, regulatory options, research, program operations and/or communications. Your participation and decision to provide any information is voluntary.
The personal information created, held or collected by ECCC is protected under the Privacy Act. Information will be used, disclosed and retained in accordance with the conditions listed in the Personal Information Bank Outreach Activities PSU 938.
Any questions or comments regarding this privacy notice may be directed to ECCC’s Access to Information and Privacy Division at ECATIP-ECAIPRP@ec.gc.ca. If you are not satisfied that your privacy has been adequately respected, you have the right to file a complaint. You may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada by calling their information center at 1-800-282-1376 or by visiting their contact page.
Performance results to date
Results will be summarized and posted after the first annual reports are received.
Related information
Past consultations
Implementation Framework for the Right to a Healthy Environment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)
The Government of Canada has a duty, in the administration of the Act, to protect the right to a healthy environment as provided for under CEPA, subject to reasonable limits. An implementation framework was published on July 19, 2025, to set out the considerations to protect this right and uphold the principles described in the framework.
Work to inform the Guidelines began before the framework was published. Recognizing that CEPA decisions are informed by analyses and consultations that are often the result of years of work, a transition period is in place to allow ECCC and Health Canada to support continued protection of the environment and human health. The objective of the transition period is to continue to advance timely CEPA decisions and actions while consideration of the right to a healthy environment and relevant principles are being fully integrated into the administration of the Act. These Guidelines are proceeding under the transition period referenced in the framework.
While the framework could not be applied from the outset of this work, the Guidelines have considered many elements included in the framework such as scientific and environmental factors, intergenerational equity and non-regression.
The Guidelines uphold intergenerational equity and ensure non-regression by setting stringent concentration targets for persistent substances, proactively reducing environmental burdens for future generations, and promoting best management practices. The commitment to review and update these Guidelines ensures that this level of protection is maintained and progressively enhanced over time. The Guidelines will support the protection of the environment from harmful substances and will contribute to clean and healthy water and healthy ecosystems and biodiversity.
Contact us
Environmental Protection Branch
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: pgpc-dppc-cmp-cpd@ec.gc.ca