Once you have selected a product, get the facts about it and find out about proper installation techniques. Compare the advantages, limitations and intended use of different products.

Materials (or their packaging) may be marked indicating that they comply with Canadian product standards. If they do not, they may have an evaluation number issued by the Canadian Construction Materials Centre.Your local municipal office can tell you if certain products are acceptable for use in your municipality.

Manufacturers, suppliers and contractors should be able to provide you with information about products. They should also be able to advise you on any health and safety issues (such as indoor air quality and fire safety) and what they will do to reduce these risks.

Ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that lists the hazardous ingredients, safety information and emergency measures related to specific products. An MSDS is required for certain industrial and chemical products used in the workplace like paint, caulking, spray foam insulation and cleaners. An MSDS is not required for manufactured items (e.g. insulation) or consumer products, but it may be available from the manufacturer or supplier.

Manufacturers and suppliers are responsible for making sure that the products they sell comply with Canadian legislation. If you are concerned about the safety of a particular product, find out if it is prohibited or regulated under the Hazardous Products Act (the Act), other relevant federal, provincial or territorial legislation, or municipal bylaws.

For example, as of the date of publication, one type of insulation product is prohibited and two others are regulated under the Act.

Prohibited

• Urea formaldehyde-based foam insulation (UFFI) foamed in place (prohibited in Canada in 1980): This includes insulation products that are available in the United States that are urea-formaldehyde based and are installed via a foaming process.

Regulated

• Cellulose fibre insulation (regulated in Canada in 1979): This commonly used and effective insulation material must meet certain performance standards with respect to flammability, among other things.
• Asbestos: A product composed entirely of asbestos cannot be sold as a consumer product. Asbestos products applied by spraying must have asbestos fibres coated with a binder during spraying and cannot come loose after drying.

For more information about the Act and for clarification on these requirements, contact Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Office. Visit the Planning energy efficiency renovations for your home section of our website for more information.