TSSA is using the Client Portal to share important, sector‑specific safety information with liquid fuel licence holders who renew their licences online.
Beginning June 1, 2026, operators renewing liquid fuel facility licences through the Client Portal will see a safety message pop‑up. They can choose to read the message immediately or later via email before completing the renewal process.
The Client Portal provides a timely opportunity for TSSA to share critical safety information with liquid fuel facilities to help prevent incidents and support safer operations. We encourage licence holders to read the message and share it with their safety teams.
Operators also have the option to email the safety message to colleagues or individuals responsible for safety, helping to reinforce compliance obligations across their organization.
The safety message will appear only once per account, even if multiple facilities are associated with the same account.
This news was shared with Fuels web subscribers and liquid fuel authorization holders who renew their licences online.
Advisory: Clarifying the Definitions of “Modification” & “Maintenance” in Liquid Fuels Facilities
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) has published a new advisory to clarify the definitions of “maintenance” and “modification” as they apply to liquid fuels facilities under Ontario Regulation 217/01, Liquid Fuels and Liquid Fuels Handling Code.
The aim is to clarify the type of modifications that require TSSA review and approval. Please read the full advisory for details.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
This news item was sent to liquid fuels contractors, facilities, associations, attendees of the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webinar and Fuels web subscribers.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is seeking your comments on a proposal to license operations conducting retail mobile fueling under Ontario Regulation 217/01, Liquid Fuels and Liquid Fuels Handling Code.
Retail mobile fueling is defined as the dispensing of fuel from a highway tank to a licensed vehicle or a watercraft that cannot be fueled at a marina. A prior consultation was conducted on the technical requirements for retail mobile fueling facilities.
The opportunity to comment on a TSSA proposal to license retail mobile fueling operations is open for 30 days from January 30, 2026, to March 1, 2026. Please visit EngageTSSA to provide your feedback.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Chris Thompson at cthompson@tssa.org.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
This communication was sent to Liquid Fuels Handling Code Working Group, liquid fuels tanker trucks, liquid fuel facilities and Fuel web subscribers.
The Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard came into effect on April 14, 2025, for all licensed retail liquid fuels facilities in Ontario.
The Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard seeks to enhance the safety of liquid fuels facilities across Ontario by:
- Prioritizing high-risk non-compliances that pose significant safety risks: To help owners, contractors and mechanics understand safety priorities by directing their focus on addressing high-risk non-compliances.
- Promoting inspection consistency: Inspection orders are based on risk and data analyses from inspection and incident history, ensuring standardized and consistent approach to inspections.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply this standard during periodic inspections to enhance safety and regulatory consistency. If high-risk non-compliances are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will:
- Issue an order(s) requiring corrective action
- Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance
- If compliance is not confirmed within the specified time, further enforcement action will be taken, including possible shutdown
High-risk non-compliances may require immediate compliance (0 days), could result in a shutdown, or allow 14 days to rectify the issues. In some cases, a high-risk non-compliance may be given more than 14 days to resolve, depending on practical considerations and circumstances.
Other non-compliances, categorized as safety tasks (low- and medium-risk), will be noted on the inspection report. Owners and operators are responsible for resolving safety tasks within the time specified in the inspection report. TSSA will not conduct a follow-up inspection if only safety tasks are found during a periodic inspection.
Below is a list of high-risk non-compliances in the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard:
| Issue | Compliance Order | Regulation/Code Clause |
| The facility must be licensed. | Rectify | Section 10(1) of O. Reg. 217/01 |
| Any modification to the facility requires approval. | Rectify | Section 22(4) of O. Reg. 217/01 |
| Employees must be trained in emergency procedures. | Rectify | Clause 6.5.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Copies of the inventory control must be made available. | Rectify | Clause 1.2.3 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Annual shear-valve and leak-detection system tests and maintenance records must be available. | Rectify | Clause 4.6.9 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| The sump leak detection system must be interlocked to shut off product flow. | Rectify | Clause 4.6.10 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Copies of the current precision leak tests must be available. | Rectify | Clause 7.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Current corrosion protection reports for the underground storage tank system(s) must be available. | Rectify | Clause 2.3.1.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| The cathodic protection test report must indicate a passing result. | Rectify | Clause 2.3.1.4 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Equipment must be approved and installed according to the code and manufacturer's instructions and be appropriate for the intended use. | Rectify | Clause 1.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| The product must be dispensed or vented at least 3 metres from any ignition source. | Rectify | Clause 6.3.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| All applicable stage 1 vapour recovery equipment must be installed, operated and maintained. | Rectify | Clause 1.3.2 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Dispenser hose(s) must be equipped with approved emergency breakaway device(s). | Rectify | Clause 4.6.13 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Dispenser(s) sumps must be leak-tight. | Rectify | Clause 4.5.2.7 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Any loss of liquid or gain of water in the tank(s) not attributed to condensation must be investigated. | Rectify | Clause 7.3.5(a) of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| Video monitoring images must be adequately sized and clear enough to allow the attendant to read a vehicle’s licence plate held by a person in the fueling area. | Rectify | Clause 5.2.5 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
| A manual leak detection system(s) must comply with the Liquid Fuels Handling Code. | Rectify | Clause C.1.1 of Liquid Fuels Handling Code |
Visit the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webpage for more information or watch a recording of the webinar on Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard held on March 27, 2025.
This news item was sent to liquid fuels contractors and facilities, Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard webinar attendees and Fuels web subscribers.
On April 14, 2025, the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard will take effect for all licensed liquid fuels facilities in Ontario. The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will apply this standard during periodic inspections to enhance safety and regulatory consistency.
The Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard identifies high-risk non-compliances that pose significant risks to safety. If high-risk non-compliances are found during a periodic inspection, TSSA will:
- Issue an order(s) requiring corrective action
- Conduct a follow-up inspection to confirm compliance
Other non-compliances, categorized as safety tasks (low- and medium-risk), will be noted on the inspection report. Owners and operators are responsible for resolving safety tasks within the time specified in the inspection report. TSSA will not conduct a follow-up inspection if only safety tasks are found during a periodic inspection.
The Compliance Standard seeks to enhance the safety of liquid fuels facilities across Ontario by prioritizing the efforts of TSSA and regulated parties on addressing high-risk non-compliances promptly.
Benefits of Compliance Standards
- Prioritizes high-risk non-compliances: Help owners, contractors and mechanics understand safety priorities by focusing their efforts on addressing high-risk non-compliances.
- Promotes inspection consistency: Inspection orders are based on risk and data analyses from inspection and incident history, ensuring standardized and consistent inspections.
Learn More – Join Our Webinar
TSSA is hosting a live webinar to provide more details about the new Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard:
Date : Thursday, March 27, 2025
Time : 10:00– 11:00 a.m. (EST)
Webinar Topics
- How the Liquid Fuels Compliance Standard was developed
- High-risk non-compliances covered in the standard
- The difference between high-risk non-compliances with the Compliance Standard and other non-compliances/safety tasks
- Steps to take when non-compliances are identified during a periodic inspection
REGISTER NOW
This news item was sent to liquid fuels contractors and facilities and Fuels web subscribers.