AIA Asks: Industry feedback wanted on DCM to strip paint in autobody sector

Ottawa, Ontario — AIA Canada has received a request for information from Environment and Climate Change Canada to determine if the current risk management strategy for dichloromethane (DCM), a substance used to strip paint, is sufficient or if new measures should be considered. 

When the government investigates a substance’s risk-management strategy, the industry must provide input. Without the input, the decision made regarding the substance may not meet the industry’s needs or interests. 

In June 2003, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act published, the Code of Practice for the reduction of dichloromethane emissions from the use of paint strippers in commercial furniture refinishing and other stripping applications, 

The publication includes a section (pg. 16) on the use of paint strippers that contain DCM in the autobody sector. The government wants the industry to review the information on DCM in the autobody sector and advise whether it is still current by answering the following questions: 

1. Are you familiar with the code of practice? If yes, is it still relevant? 
2. Who are the largest autobody shops in Canada? 
3. What is the quantity of paint stripers used in the autobody sector in Canada? 
4. Are paint strippers, containing DCM, still commonly used in autobody shops? 
5. Apart from autobody shops, is DCM in other sectors of the automotive aftermarket? If so, which sectors are involved? 

For more information on how the environment and Climate Change Canada has managed DCM, please consult the following link.