Resources

Legislation

Ministry of Environment

Concrete and Concrete Products Industry Code of Practice

The Ministry of Environment has established a "code of practice" (Minister's regulation) that addresses discharges to the environment from the concrete and concrete products industry under provisions of the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the Waste Discharge Regulation (WDR).

The concrete and concrete products industry includes operations which manufacture ready mix and pre-formed concrete. The industry is considered by the Ministry to be appropriate for management and regulation under a code of practice. Although ready mix and pre-formed concrete plant operations do not generally pose high threats to the environment, there are a number of environmental risks that may be realized if appropriate environmental management practices are not followed, including contamination of ground and / or surface water and air emissions of fine and / or coarse particulates.

The code of practice establishes province-wide standards for waste discharge from the concrete and concrete products industry. Operations included in the definition of "concrete and concrete products industry" under WDR of EMA are required to comply with all relevant provisions of EMA, WDR and the code. Specifically, EMA prohibits the introduction of waste into the environment "in such a manner or quantity as to cause pollution."

The code addresses air quality management, discharge of process water and storm water and the management of waste solids — as well as registration, monitoring, record keeping and enforcement.

Registration under this code of practice is required as of March 01, 2008.

Guidance Document

The B.C. Ready Mix Concrete Association (BCRMCA), in conjunction with Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd.,  has prepared a Guide to the Code of Practice for the BC Concrete and Concrete Products Industry.  This document is intended to provide a broad overview of the B.C. Ministry of Environment's requirements with respect to waste and waste discharges that may result from the activities and operations of the concrete and concrete products industry.

Guide to the Code of Practice 2010 (PDF/266 KB)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this guide are that of the consultant, Millennium EMS Solutions Ltd. and BCRMCA, not of B.C. Ministry of Environment.

Note: If inconsistencies are found to exist between this guide and the Environmental Management Act (EMA), the Concrete Code or any other B.C regulations or codes of practice, then the EMA or B.C. regulations or codes of practice take precedence over the guide. 

Background

After an extensive review of the use of concrete and concrete products in British Columbia and other jurisdictions, the Ministry posted a Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation (PDF/82 KB) with the public.

Comments, responses and submissions regarding development of the new Code of Practice received before June 30th, 2006 were provided in a Consultation Summary Report (PDF/106 KB).

The Ministry would like to thank all those who contributed. The information was invaluable with respect to developing the Code of Practice.

Substitution Application Package

A person who has an effective registration under a Code of Practice for discharge of waste to the environment may apply for a substitution of a different requirement to a requirement contained in a Code of Practice. The following link should be used for information and the steps to be followed when making an application:


UPDATED: AUGUST 2009