Trailer GHG Standards Suspended

Summary#

The federal Minister of the Environment issued the Interim Order Modifying the Operation of the Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations (Trailer Standards) on May 18, 2020. It temporarily says that the trailer parts of the greenhouse-gas rules do not apply to trailers as of January 1, 2020.

What it does#

• Suspends the trailer-specific parts of the Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations so those rules “do not apply to trailers” on and after January 1, 2020.
• The order was made using powers under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
• The suspension is temporary. Once approved by the Governor in Council, the order will end after one year or earlier if it is repealed or if the regulation is changed to reflect the order.

Who's affected#

• Trailer manufacturers and companies that import or sell trailers in Canada.
• Trucking and logistics companies that buy or operate trailers.
• Regulators and anyone involved in enforcing vehicle emissions rules.
• The source links this action to a U.S. court decision (the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit) that put a stay on U.S. trailer standards, so cross-border manufacturers and exporters may also notice the change.

If it is unclear who else will be affected, the Gazette text does not spell that out.

Why it matters#

• Businesses that would have had to meet new trailer greenhouse-gas limits are temporarily relieved of those specific obligations. That can change near-term costs and purchasing choices for fleets and manufacturers.
• It affects how Canada’s trailer rules line up with U.S. rules, which matters for companies that sell across the border.
• Because the suspension is temporary, the situation could change within a year or sooner if the government revises the rules. This matters for planning by industry, regulators and anyone tracking vehicle-emissions policy.