Fastenal Canada has been ordered to pay a fine of $265,000 by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) after the company pleaded guilty to two counts of selling products containing hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) — a banned ozone depleting substance.

ECCC states that Kitchener, Ontario-based Fastenal Canada imported and sold aerosal products containing HCFCs between November 2012 and January 2015. On Sept. 7, the company pleaded guilty to contravening the country's Ozone-Depleting Sustances Regulations of 1998.

Fastenal Canada's fine will be directed to the country's Environmental Damages Fund, which ECCC says supports community and non-profit groups for projects that have "measureable and positive impact on the environment."

Fastenal Canada will also be added to ECCC's Environmental Offenders Registry.

Canadian regulations ban the production, import, use or sale of HCFCs unless they are used or exported as a refrigerant. The substance is typically used for refrigeration and air conditioning, aerosals, solvents, blowing and fire protection.

In December 2016, ECCC fined Grainger's Canada operation — Acklands-Grainger — $500,000 for similar violations, as the company was found to have sold two products containing HCFCs between 2012 and 2014.

Source: Industrial Distribution