Consultation with Canadian Stakeholders and Development of Best Practices for a Technical Code of Practice for the Environmentally Sound Management of End-of-life Mercury-containing Lamps

I. BACKGROUND	

The Government of Canada’s Energy Efficiency Regulations set new standards for light bulbs that will effectively phase out the use of traditional incandescent light bulbs in 2014, and increase the use of energy efficient alternatives such as halogen incandescent bulbs, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which contain mercury.

Recognized as a global pollutant , mercury should be managed in environmentally sound manner to prevent releases to the environment. As part of the Government of Canada’s approach to reducing mercury emissions to the environment from the management of end-of-life products, Environment Canada is developing a code of practice to provide technical guidance for the environmentally sound management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps and targeted guidance for remote and northern communities on options for the management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps. The code of practice is intended to be a national reference for industry and governments focusing on the technical aspects of the end-of-life management of mercury-containing lamps from all sources (i.e., residential, institutional and commercial uses), and will detail best practices and environmentally sound options for the handling, collection, storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal of lamps to prevent mercury releases to the environment. The code of practice and targeted guidance will be developed in consultation with provinces, territories, industry and other stakeholders. A discussion document on the potential elements of a code of practice was published on September 5, 2014, for public comment.

II. PURPOSE

This contract is for consulting and professional services. The purpose of the work is to facilitate two (2) consultation meetings with stakeholders and prepare a report on the best practices for a technical code of practice for the environmentally sound management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps, taking into account the information received during the consultation process with stakeholders and from the research of existing best practices. The report shall also propose options for the diversion and management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps in northern and remote communities. The information obtained from this work will be taken into consideration by Environment Canada in its work to develop the code of practice for the environmentally sound management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps and targeted guidance for remote and northern communities.

III. OBJECTIVES

The contractor must: 
1.	Review documents on best practices, techniques and technologies for the end-of-life management of mercury-containing lamps (which includes the Basel Convention technical guidelines for mercury wastes, and information from Canadian and other jurisdictions), and on the issues and options for the diversion and management of  end-of-life mercury-containing lamps in northern and remote communities, and conduct additional research which may be required;
2.	Prepare and facilitate two (2) consultation meetings with stakeholders, which includes preparing meeting materials as required; and
3.	Prepare and submit two (2) reports in English:
a.	Report 1 of draft potential best management practices and elements for a technical code of practice for the environmentally sound management for end-of-life mercury-containing lamps, and preliminary information on the issues and options for the diversion and management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps in northern and remote communities. This report will include a consultation plan. The report is to be used to facilitate the consultation meetings and solicit stakeholders’ feedback.
b.	Report 2 includes:
i.	Summary and assessment of stakeholders’ input and comments on the information presented in Report 1; and
ii.	Proposed best management practices and elements for a technical code of practice for the environmentally sound management for end-of-life mercury-containing lamps, and options for the diversion and management of end-of-life mercury-containing lamps in northern and remote communities, for Environment Canada’s consideration. The information is intended to inform Environment Canada’s development of a code and targeted guidance for the North.