Heeley, Amrane, and Wong expressed concerns about the lack of response from the ministry on approval of the draft plan and the need to reevaluate the compliance metrics for applied products.

An extensive discussion ensued, during which Standen confirmed that more work was needed on the plan before it could be approved, and that resources were now in place in the ministry to better respond to the associations’ needs. He explained the plan required more details, particularly with verification of the number of HVACR and plumbing products decommissioned annually. Industry representatives also pointed out a number of significant impediments to collecting data on decommissioned equipment, including the broad range of products covered by the HVACR and plumbing sector and the wide range of people and businesses that become involved in these products when they are taken out of service.

In addition, the size of the products in the commercial sector does not fit the simple drop-off schemes used by the consumer products section. The ministry offered to work with the associations to find an acceptable method that would fit the industry’s products and practices and meet the requirements of the regulation. They also indicated the same challenges were being encountered by the other sectors that have applied products and discussions between their groups would be of value. The meeting ended with the association representatives and the ministry agreeing to work closer together on a compliance solution.

Publication date: 4/14/2014

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