Latest News from the CVMA

Auto Makers Implement National Program to Collect Mercury-Containing Switches from End of Life Vehicles.

Toronto, ON – 2006-12-13

Member companies of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association will be implementing a national program for the collection of mercury-containing switches from vehicles when they reach the end of their useful life.

Mark Nantais, President of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association said, "The motor vehicle industry has already phased-out mercury switches such as convenience lighting and anti-lock brake applications as of January, 2003. The national collection program fashioned after a similar program now in operation in the U.S. involving all key parties will be designed to capture the remaining switches from vehicles at the point where they will be recycled.”

To encourage proper removal and disposal, auto manufacturers have produced and made available to vehicle dismantlers and recyclers, educational materials explaining the need to remove mercury-containing switches and to provide guidance on the proper removal of the switches prior to recycling vehicle hulks at steel mills. Mercury is used in a number of other consumer products today.

“CVMA members are committed to working cooperatively through the regulatory process to ensure the automotive mercury switch recovery program remains effective, equitable and responsive to the stated environmental objectives, with the auto industry’s elimination of mercury switches and this initiative to collect switches from end of life vehicles is unlike any other sector initiative, the auto industry is once again exhibiting environmental leadership,” concluded Nantais.

Other automotive industry environmental leadership efforts include:

	CVMA member companies, under their voluntary auto manufacturing pollution prevention program, reduced or eliminated over 400,000 tonnes of persistent toxics, including mercury, or other environmental contaminants of concern from manufacturing processes.
	Adoption of the most stringent national smog-related emissions standards in the world; new light duty vehicles now account for only 0.1% of Canada’s total smog-related emissions from all sectors and are the only sector projected to show significant reductions year-over-year to 2020.
	The only industry sector to sign a voluntary memorandum of understanding with the federal government committing to an actual greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 5.3 million tonnes from vehicles in 2010.

The CVMA has an 80 year history of representing Canada’s largest manufacturers of cars and trucks. The CVMA members include: DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited; General Motors of Canada Limited and International Truck and Engine Corporation.

For further information please contact:

Mark Nantais
President
Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association
416.364.9333

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