Canada – CAN/CGSB-182.1 Flammability and Labelling Requirements for Tents Published

Vol. 1155 | 15 May 2020

On April 22, 2020, Health Canada published CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020, flammability and labelling requirements for tents. However, the existing requirements in the tent regulations, SOR/2016-185, which refers to CPAI-84 for flammability testing, remain in effect for all tents manufactured, imported, advertised or sold in Canada.

Health Canada is working on a proposal to replace the requirements in the current SOR/2016-185, tent regulations, with the requirements in CAN/CGSB-182.1. Compliance with the CAN/CGSB-182.1 test standard is voluntary until the Tents Regulations are amended.

The following is a summary of CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020:

• The scope includes consumer tents for outdoor use and tents intended for both indoor and outdoor use, such as tent trailers and children’s outdoor tents. Children’s play tents intended for indoor use only are excluded.
• Weather procedure (fluorescent UV and condensation procedure) in accordance with ASTM D4329 is set up
• Vertical flammability test method is introduced, which is for all tent materials instead of separate test methods for flooring materials (horizontal test) and wall/top materials (vertical test) in SOR/2016-185.  If flooring materials fail the vertical test, horizontal test results shall also be reported as both results must be reported.
• The number of specimens subjected to the vertical test under the three stages increased from 24 to 30. Average damaged length and mass loss of the specimens are evaluated, heavy-weight fabrics and light-weight fabrics categories are removed.
• Performance requirements for average damage length, average mass loss and flaming debris are introduced. Performance requirements for after-flame time and individual specimens in SOR/2016-185 are removed.
• Warning such as “Keep all flame and heat sources away from tent.” and cautionary statement including additional statements on children’s tents are introduced.

The CAN/CGSB-182.1-2020, Flammability and labelling requirements for tents can be reviewed at:
http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2020/ongc-cgsb/P29-182-001-2020-eng.pdf

Previous Insight on Canada proposed amendments to the Tent Regulation and consequently to Toys Regulations in available: https://www.intertek.com/consumer/insight-bulletins/amendments-to-the-tents-regulations/

For questions, please contact Stella Li (xingyu.li@intertek.com, +1- 503-351-9612) or Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1-847-212-8273).