Net Quantity Information Bulletin - Volatile Liquids and Solvents

1996

The Fair Business Practices Branch (FBP) administers the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations. FBP's mandate is to ensure that consumers are provided with basic product information for making purchasing decisions, to prevent false and misleading representations and to promote marketplace equity. Information such as the product's generic name, the net quantity, and the business' identity are mandatory on the package labels.

FBP has noted a history of low compliance with respect to the net quantity of "volatile liquid products" at various levels of distribution over the past few years. Examples of the volatile liquid products inspected are: solvents, thinners, paint/varnish removers, fuel injector cleaners, gasoline additives, camp fuels, kerosene, acetone, methyl hydrate and other related home improvement, automotive and outdoor activity products. As a result, in 1996 FBP officers conducted inspections to determine the net contents of these products at the retail level of trade.

These inspections revealed that 26% of the products tested, failed to contain the net quantity declared on the label.

It is the responsibility of the packing establishment to ensure that packages contain the declared net quantity on the label. Moreover, it is the responsibility of all dealers (at any level of trade) to ensure that the correct net contents are maintained in the containers throughout the distribution channels to the consumer. To increase the compliance rate, factors affecting the stability of the net quantity must be considered when packing, storing and distributing such products.

Factors that affect the stability of the net quantity in the containers are:

• Type of container- use of multi-layered plastic, metal or other less permeable container materials reduce migration of product through the container
• Closure integrity- closing devices must use suitable materials and be properly secured
• Inventory control/stock rotation- a program in place to reduce storage time, therefore, reducing migration
• Storage conditions- environmental stresses to be controlled to reduce migration (e.g., temperature, relative humidity)

FBP officers will be conducting further inspections in 1997 to assess compliance at other levels of distribution. It is suggested that you review your policies and procedures and make any changes necessary to ensure that the declared net quantity is as stated.

For more detailed information please contact the Information Centre of the Competition Bureau.

For additional information regarding requirements under the Hazardous Products Act which may apply to solvents and other potentially hazardous products, please contact your nearest Health Canada, Product Safety Bureau, office listed in the blue pages of your local phone book.