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Canadian company fined $100,000 for contravening tetrachloroethylene dry-cleaning regulations

Ottawa – Dalex Canada of Concord, Ont., pleaded guilty and was fined $100,000 in the Ontario Court of Justice to one count of contravening the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations made pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Canada said in a news release.

Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers conducted inspections in 2014 and identified instances where tetrachloroethylene was being sold to owners and operators of dry-cleaning facilities who did not meet regulatory standards. As a result of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s subsequent investigation, Dalex Canada pleaded guilty to selling tetrachloroethylene to an owner or operator of a dry-cleaning facility who was not in compliance with the regulations. The regulations prohibit anyone from selling tetrachloroethylene to dry cleaners unless the dry-cleaning facility is compliant with certain sections of the regulations.

Tetrachloroethylene, also known as PERC, enters the environment through the atmosphere, where it can damage plants and find its way into ground water.

In addition to the fine, which will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund, the court ordered Dalex Canada to publish an article in an industry publication, subject to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s approval. The company also is required to notify Environment and Climate Change Canada before resuming sales of the regulated product to dry cleaners. As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the federal Environmental Offenders Registry.