May 5, 2016 – The Government of Canada says it is taking “tangible steps to protect the environment and improve energy efficiency […] by undertaking important updates to the Energy Efficiency Regulations”.

NRCan is proceeding with the development of an amendment to introduce or update energy efficiency standards and, where applicable, test methods and associated reporting and compliance requirements for the product categories listed below (not the full list). The intent is to align energy efficiency standards with those in force—or soon to be in force—in the United States, subject to an analysis of Canadian market conditions.

Lighting • existing product categories
• ceiling fans (lighting and light kits)
• fluorescent lamp ballasts (T12 dimming ballasts)

Lighting • new product categories
•  metal halide lamp ballasts

Commercial & industrial • existing product categories
• packaged terminal air-conditioners and heat pumps
• large air-conditioners and heat pumps
• commercial refrigeration (self-contained)
• dry-type transformers (low-voltage)

Commercial & industrial • new product categories
• commercial refrigeration (remote)
• small electric motors
• walk-in coolers/freezers

Residential • existing product categories
• external power supplies

This information was published April 30, 2016, in Canada Gazette Part I (download the PDF below, page 1151, then page 1167).

Essentially, the proposed regulations would:

a) increase the stringency of minimum energy performance standards for 20 currently regulated product categories

b) make minor changes to standards or reporting requirements for 8 currently regulated product categories

c) repeal and replace the regulations to remove references to obsolete and out-of-date standards and to improve the organization of the regulatory text, making it easier for stakeholders to find and understand the requirements that apply to them.

NRCan says it will initiate the development of an amendment in accordance with the standard federal regulatory process, which includes consultations with representatives of provincial and territorial governments, industry, non-governmental organizations, the public and other stakeholders. Input received during these consultations will be considered during the development of the amendment proposal. As part of this process, technical bulletins will be released to collect stakeholder views on the new requirements being considered for each of the product categories listed above.

NRCan says it will undertake a cost-benefit analysis using the “best-available Canadian market data to assess the economic and environmental impacts” and to ensure “Canadian consumers and businesses benefit from its implementation”.

The public now has 75 days to provide comments (by July 14, 2016). To participate in the consultation process, email equipment@nrcan.gc.ca .

Draft regulations for the amendment are expected to be published in Spring 2017. Consultations will be initiated through the release of product-specific bulletins published on NRCan’s website.

SOME history… In 1992, Parliament passed Canada’s Energy Efficiency Act (amended it in 2009). The act provides for the making and enforcement of regulations requiring energy-using products that are imported or shipped interprovincially for the purpose of sale or lease to meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for product labelling, and for the promotion of energy efficiency and alternative energy use, including the collection of data and statistics on energy use.