Mechanic
NEW CANADIAN REGULATION ON LEAD IN WHEEL WEIGHTS
By Isabelle Havasy
Recognized as a highly toxic metal for the environment, lead in wheel weights will be regulated by the Government of Canada as early as 2024. On February 16, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, announced the publication of the Regulations Prohibiting the Manufacturing and Importation of Leaded Wheel Weights.
“We are continuing our work to protect the health of Canadians and the environment from harmful substances. Our roads and waterways cannot be accidental dumping grounds for commercial products containing lead. There are safe and affordable alternatives to lead wheel weights, and it’s time to make the change.”
The regulation, which will take effect on February 3, 2024, will prohibit the manufacture and importation of wheel weights in Canada with a lead content of more than 0.1%. It will require manufacturers and importers to switch to less environmentally damaging alternative materials, such as steel.
However, “the manufacture for export or import of wheel weights installed on vehicles” are exempt. In addition, “the regulations do not apply to the sale or offer for sale of wheel weights or to their transit through Canada, regardless of their lead content.”
Because of its resistance to chemical corrosion, lead is a widely used material in the manufacture of wheel weights. They help “even out the weight distribution around the rim and stabilize vehicles at high speeds”. They can fall off and over time turn into harmful dust that “can accumulate in the soil, enter waterways through runoff or be inhaled”.
For complete details of the regulations, visit the Government of Canada website
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