G/TBT/N/CAN/651/Add.1  
 
20 February 2023  
(23-1198) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English /French  
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
Addendum  
The following communication , dated  20 February 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Canada . 
 
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Title:  Prohibition of the Manufacture and Importation of Wheel Weights Containing Lead Regulations  
 
Reason for Addendum:  
[ ] Comment period changed - date:   
[X] Notified measure adopted - date: 3 February 2023  
[X] Notified measure published - date: 15 February 2023  
[X] Notified measure enters into force - date: 3 February 2024  
[X] Text of final measure available from1:  
https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp -pr/p2/2023/2023 -02-15/html/sor -dors15 -eng.html  
(English)  
https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp -pr/p2/2023/2023 -02-15/html/sor -dors15 -fra.html  
(French)  
[ ] Notified measure withdrawn or revoked - date:  
Relevant symbol if measure re -notified:   
[ ] Content or scope of notified measure changed  and text available from1:  
New deadline for comments (if applicable):   
[ ] Interpretive guidance issued and text available from1:  
[ ] Other:  
 
Description:  The Regulations will reduce lead contamination from lead wheel weights. Lead is the 
most common material used for wheel balancing in the Canadian wheel weight market. Lead wheel 
weights are lost on roads and highways every year, and generate lead dust. This dust can build up 
in soil, enter waterways through runoff, or be inhaled. These pathways of ex posure to lead dust can 
give rise to adverse human health and environmental impacts. Since it is a non -biodegradable metal, 
lead can also accumulate in the environment, contaminate water, and poison wildlife. Without action, 
it is expected that lead wheel weights will continue to be manufactured and imported in Canada, 
resulting in continued risks to human health and ecosystems from exposure to elevated 
concentrations of lead in the environment.  
 
1 This information can be provided by including a website address, a pdf attachment, or other 
information on where the text of the final/modified  measure and/or interpretive guidance can be obtained.  G/TBT/N/CAN/651/Add.1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  The Prohibition of the Manufacture and Importation of Wheel We ights Containing Lead Regulations  
will reduce human and environmental exposure to lead in Canada, as they prohibit the manufacture 
and import of wheel weights containing more than 0.1% lead by weight. This will help reduce the 
adverse health impacts result ing from lead exposure, and help improve air, water and soil quality. 
The prohibition does not apply in respect of the manufacture for export of wheel weights, and the 
importation of wheel weights installed on vehicles.  
Permits may be issued under the Regu lations by the Minister of the Environment to manufacturers 
or importers of wheel weights, so that they may continue manufacturing or importing wheel weights 
containing lead for use on vehicles in Canada. The permit applicant would be required to demonstra te 
that, at the time of the application, there are no alternatives to manufacturing or importing wheel 
weights containing lead, or the alternatives are not technically or economically feasible for the 
applicant. The term of the permit must not exceed 24 mo nths, and the Minister may renew the 
permit once for a term that must not exceed 24 months.  
The Regulations do not apply to wheel weights that are in transit through Canada, from a place 
outside Canada to another place outside Canada.  
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