Statement - Government of Canada expands its on-going collaborative work with the U.S. EPA to assess other diesel vehicles for defeat devices

OTTAWA, Sept. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - On September 22, 2015, the Government of Canada opened an investigation into Volkswagen's alleged use of defeat devices to circumvent emissions regulations.

Environment Canada issued the following update on the issue:

"The Government of Canada has a long history of collaborating closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to align emission standards, as well as to provide oversight and verify compliance with applicable emission regulations

"Today, the Government of Canada is announcing that it has expanded its ongoing collaborative work with the U.S. EPA to assess other diesel vehicles for defeat devices and compliance issues.

"Vehicles will be subject to a variety of tests including on-road testing using portable emission measurement systems. This collaboration will ensure we move as quickly as possible to test the broadest spectrum of light-duty diesel makes and models for potential defeat devices. Environment Canada is actively acquiring light duty diesel vehicles to test for defeat devices or other compliance issues. 

"It is important to note that these activities are separate from the investigation that Environment Canada opened on September 22, 2015."

Backgrounder

Environment Canada and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency taking action together on vehicle emissions

Canada and the U.S. have a long history of collaborating on joint environmental challenges. Given that air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions cross national boundaries, continuing to collaborate on progressive actions to address vehicle and engine emissions is a priority for both countries.

With the Canada–U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council Joint Forward Plan, Environment Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) committed to continue collaborating under the U.S.–Canada Air Quality Committee towards the development of aligned vehicle and engine emission regulations and their coordinated implementation. Consistent with these objectives, these cooperative efforts include information-sharing, technical work-sharing, scientific collaboration and testing related to vehicle and engine emissions.

This collaboration has ensured Canada's vehicle emission regulations are aligned with those of the United States. Alignment of stringent emission standards delivers important health and environmental benefits to Canadians. Given the integrated nature of the North American economy, aligned Canada–United States vehicle emission regulations are also important to support the competitiveness of the Canadian automotive sector. Alignment also provides Canadian companies with long‑term regulatory certainty, helps with product planning and minimizes administrative burden.

Collaboration on Vehicles Emissions Testing

The Government of Canada has stringent emissions standards to address air pollutants from new cars sold in Canada to help ensure clean air for Canadians in alignment with the U.S. EPA's standards. Environment Canada routinely conducts vehicle emission testing on a sample of vehicles offered for sale in Canada to verify compliance with applicable emission regulations. This testing is conducted in coordination with the U.S. EPA to help broaden the scope of our coverage and maximize efficiencies on both sides of the border. Environment Canada has now expanded its on-going collaborative work with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess vehicles for defeat devices and other compliance issues.

SOURCE Environment Canada

Media Relations, Environment Canada, 819-934-8008