N.B. The information about the legislation below is for private study or research purposes only. For information on how to obtain the official printed versions of B.C.'s statutes, see BC Laws; Frequently Asked Questions (Queen's Printer).
The Environmental Management Act and the Waste Discharge Regulation are the fundamental pieces of legislation for air quality in British Columbia. See Summary of Air Quality Legislation for more information.
Regulations by Topic |
Regulations by Title |
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Agricultural Waste Control Regulation Environmental Data Quality Assurance Regulation Gasoline Vapour Control Regulation Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbons Regulation Sulphur Content of Fuel Regulation |
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Climate Change Legislation |
See Legislation and Regulations, on the Climate Action Secretariat's website. Since air quality and climate change are interrelated, this legislation will help decrease emissions that contribute to air pollution. |
Environmental Data Quality Assurance Regulation
August 1990
This regulation requires laboratories to register and participate in proficiency-testing studies in order to receive a laboratory certificate of proficiency
Asphalt Plant Regulation
June 1997
The Asphalt Plant Regulation sets safe environmental limits for asphalts plants, and moves away from the previous practice of making a separate permit for each asphalt plant.
Oil and Gas Waste Regulation
July 2005, amended July 2006
This regulation applies to small discharges from the oil and gas industry's drilling and production activities. The regulation authorizes some very small discharges unconditionally and sets out discharge and registration requirements for others. Permits or approvals are still required for large facilities. For more information, see Industrial Waste: Oil and Gas Regulation.
Sulphur Content
of Fuel Regulation
March 1989
The Sulphur Content of Fuel Regulation sets the allowable content of sulphur in all fuel in British Columbia.
Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbons Regulation
February 1993, amended November 1999 and July 2004
This regulation prohibits the release of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) stored in products and equipment. It is also intended to encourage consumers and industry to use environmentally safe alternatives. The regulation covers CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, PFCs, halons, methyl chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. For more details, see What Governments are Doing about Ozone Depletion. The Ozone Depleting Substances and Other Halocarbons Regulation meshes with national efforts to control the import, manufacture, use, sale and export of ODS.
Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (will be reviewed and revised)
This regulation establishes practices for using, storing and managing agricultural waste in an an environmentally sound manner. The Province is going to amend the regulation to establish consistent emission limits for wood-fired agricultural boilers (e.g., greenhouses). The standards will be fully phased in by September 2010. See B.C. Gets Tough on Agricultural Boiler Emissions. The new agricultural boiler standards are substantially harmonized with Metro Vancouver’s recently adopted Agricultural Boilers Emission Regulation Bylaw (PDF: 8 pages)
Open
Burning Smoke Control Regulation (being reviewed and revised)
April 1993, amended 1998, 2000
The Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation is meant to encourage the reduction and reuse of vegetative debris from these operations, whenever possible. The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and the Ministry of Environment are reviewing and revising this regulation. See Proposed Changes to the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation. In addition, see A Guide to the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.
Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation
August 1994
This regulation specifies particulate emission limits, and labeling and testing requirements, for new solid-fuel (wood) stoves, fireplace inserts and factory-built fireplaces manufactured after November 1, 1994. The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and the Ministry of Environment are reviewing and revising this regulation. See Proposed Changes to the Solid Fuel Burning Domestic Appliance Regulation.
Wood
Residue Burner and Incinerator Regulation
December 1995, includes amendments up to 2004
Under this regulation, beehive (wood-residue) burners in populated areas (Tier 1) were to be shut down by the end of 2007. B.C.'s Air Action Plan includes a commitment to taking action on the remaining beehive burners starting in 2010 (action #19). Eliminating these inefficient burners, which frequently cast palls of smoke over many valleys, will lead to cleaner air in many regions.
Cleaner Gasoline Regulation
December 1995
The Cleaner Gasoline Regulation establishes standards for gasoline that will significantly reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, such as volatile organics, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and toxics.
Gasoline
Vapour Control Regulation
May 1995
This regulation requires the installation and use of gasoline-vapour control systems at service stations, bulk-gasoline storage plants, gasoline terminals and on truck cargo tankers. These systems are designed to prevent the escape of gasoline vapours into the atmosphere during the transfer of gasoline between fuel storage tanks and cargo tankers.
Motor
Vehicle Emissions Control Warranty Regulation
April 1996
This prohibits the sale or the making available for sale, of a motor vehicle in British Columbia unless the manufacturer promises to fix the vehicle free of charge if
there are defects in materials or workmanship that cause the vehicle to fail emission standards, or the vehicle fails AirCare.
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