The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is extending the deadline for accredited training providers (ATPs) of the Fuels Safety curriculum to submit variance applications for non-compliant laboratories. The new deadline is September 30, 2025, which has been extended from July 1, 2025.
The extension provides ATPs of the Fuels Safety curriculum more time to assess their laboratories for non-compliances with the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, or its associated regulations and Codes, develop mitigation plans, and submit a variance application along with these supplementary information.
As a safety regulator administering technical safety regulations and providing safety oversight of training institutions that train and certify tradespeople, TSSA requires that non-compliant laboratories or laboratory equipment must apply for a variance, even if they have passed their most recent inspection and audit.
To facilitate compliance, TSSA is waiving the fee for variance applications submitted by September 30, 2025. Variance applications must include a list of non-compliances identified in the laboratory or training area, the relevant Code for which the lab does not meet the compliance requirements, and the safety mitigations to achieve compliance with the Code. For instructions on how to submit a variance application, please refer to the December 16, 2024, communication.
Why Non-Compliant Labs Are Not Exempt from Variance Applications
Accredited training laboratories operate under different circumstances from commercial and industrial equipment installations. Due to these differences in risk profiles, TSSA has historically allowed ATPs of the Fuels Safety curriculum to operate non-compliant laboratories.
Under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000, and its associated regulations and Codes, laboratories are not exempt from compliance and are required to apply for a variance. In recognition of the historical practice, TSSA is extending the deadline for variance applications and waiving the fees for variance applications submitted by September 30, 2025.
ATPs are responsible for understanding the regulatory requirements outlined in the Regulation, Code and Code Adoption Document and must achieve regulatory compliance by the end of their next audit cycle.