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CDI is dedicated to professionalism through its one of a kind Certification Program and the support it provides garage door technicians across Canada.

Some Business You Can’t Afford to Do

Dealing with Imported Doors/Door Components: Part 4

Valued Members,

In our last email, we talked about the reputational risk you could incur if you work with, distribute, sell or install doors with imported components that don’t comply with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999). As a reminder, non-compliant components may contain:

  • Certain polyurethane foams
  • Paints containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Components with banned flame retardants

This time around, we’ll look at some of the environmental and health hazards these banned chemicals may create. One of the nastier class of chemicals that may be used in the foam insulation of doors is called PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances). PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” – may be used in Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation in garage doors. As the name “forever chemicals” suggests, PFAS don’t go away – they persist in the environment for years, and can accumulate in the human body and in the bodies of other animals and fish. They’re a problem because they’re linked to a variety of health concerns, and they can “off-gas”, meaning that they can be released as gases or vapours into the air. If you’re manufacturing doors using SPF insulating material containing PFAS, off-gassing can be a problem, as it can take place for up to 48 hours after application.

Another hazard is doors painted with paints that include specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene. Like PFAS, these paints can off-gas; unlike PFAS, the off-gassing can continue for months or even years, and some VOCs are known carcinogens. This can pose a risk all to everyone involved in the supply chain, right down to the final consumer.

In addition to the damage these substances can cause to the environment and human health, their use in products you supply could expose you to civil liability and, as noted in our first email, prosecution under CEPA 1999, resulting in fines or even imprisonment. Is this business you can afford to do?

In our last email in this series, we’ll talk about missed strategic opportunities.

Sincerely,
Your CDI National Board of Directors