Certain azo disperse dyes: release guidelines overview
The release guidelines for Disperse Yellow 3 and 25 other azo disperse dyes in the textile sector have been in effect since September 5, 2020.
Objective
The release guidelines recommend standard release targets and daily use targets for Disperse Yellow 3 and 25 other azo disperse dyes with molar weights below 360 g/mol from specific textile activities. The release guidelines also recommend best practices that facilities can adopt to limit releases of Disperse Yellow 3 and the other azo disperse dyes to the environment.
Target audience
The release guidelines apply to any person or entity who owns or operates a textile dye formulation or textile dyeing facility, and releases effluent containing any of the 26 azo disperse dyes listed in the release guidelines.
Adopting the release guidelines
If the release guidelines apply to your facility, you are encouraged to:
- complete the declaration of the operator to inform the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of your intention to implement the release guidelines
- implement best practices to limit and control the release of the 26 azo disperse dyes listed in the release guidelines
- monitor the release and usage of azo disperse dyes from your facility to ensure that you are meeting the targets
- submit conformity evaluation reports containing information about the quantity of disperse dyes used and/or the concentration of disperse dyes released at the final discharge point of the facility
Read the release guidelines
Release guidelines for Disperse Yellow 3 and 25 other azo disperse dyes in the textile sector
Reporting
If the release guidelines apply to your facility, you are encouraged to:
- submit the Declaration of the operator no later than March 5, 2021, or 6 months before your initial use of any of the 26 azo disperse dyes
- submit a conformity evaluation report no later than March 31, 2021, and every year thereafter if the 26 azo disperse dyes are still in use
You should send your declaration and reports by email to produits-products@ec.gc.ca.
Performance results to date
The results gathered during the first 2 years of implementation of the guidelines confirmed that only 1 textile facility was still using DY3 in 2020 and 2021. The 3 other potential users had stopped using the substance by 2020. Additionally, monitoring and surveillance activities conducted by ECCC in the Canadian environment from 2022 to 2023, did not detect DY3 at any sampling locations. In 2023, through a mandatory initiative to gather information on the commercial status and use of 850 substances in Canada, only 1 chemical manufacturer reported usage of Disperse Orange 25/Disperse Orange 36 in low quantities. These findings indicate that the guidelines are implemented by operators and achieve the set objectives. A progress report on the Release guidelines for Disperse Yellow 3 and 25 other azo disperse dyes in the textile sector was published in November 2025.
Related information
Past consultations
- Consultation document on the options for addressing aromatic azo and benzidine-based substances with effects of concern (2017)
- Consultation on options for addressing certain aromatic azo and benzidine-based substances: comments received (2019)
- Proposed release guidelines (2019)
- Response to comments on the proposed release guidelines
Contact us
Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Email: produits-products@ec.gc.ca.