CANADA: ORDER AMENDING PART II OF SCHEDULE I TO THE HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS ACT AND HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS (LIQUID COATING MATERIALS) REGULATIONS The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.275. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: CANADA. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Department of Health. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above: National enquiry point. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Liquid coating materials. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Order Amending Part II of Schedule I to the Hazardous Products Act and Hazardous Products (Liquid Coating Materials) Regulations, 1997 (pages 1755-1762). 6. Description of content: Since 1976, scientific studies have indicated that previously considered "safe" lead levels pose a significant risk to the public, especially to children and pregnant women. In view of these studies and the Department of Health's general policy of reducing lead exposure from consumer products to Canadians as much as possible, this proposal is intended to reduce the lead content and restrict the use of mercury in paints and other similar liquid coating materials. The proposed amendments to Part II of Schedule I to the Hazardous Products Act and the Hazardous Products (Liquid Coating Materials) Regulations will ensure that all paints and other similar liquid coating materials are covered in the scope of this legislation. Specifically, the proposed revision includes the following major changes: 1. A reduction of the lead limit from 0.5 per cent to 0.06 per cent in residential paints and those paints for use on children's products and on premises frequented by children; 2. a requirement for a precautionary statement on non-consumer paints containing in excess of 0.06 per cent lead; 3. a restriction on mercury compounds in interior consumer paints; 4. addition of a precautionary statement on exterior consumer paints containing mercury; and 5. specification of test methodologies. 7. Objective and rationale: Protection of consumers. 8. Relevant documents: Canada Gazette, Part I, 14 June 1997. 9. Proposed date of adoption: Not stated; Proposed date of entry into force: Not stated. 10. Final date for comments: 13 August 1997. 11. Text available from: National enquiry point. (0189)

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