Canada Regulatory News

The Bill S5 was voted unanimously by Canada's House of Commons to be sent to the environment and Sustainable Development (Envi) committee. The Bill S5 is going to be amended to the Canadian Enviro...

The Bill S5 was voted unanimously by Canada's House of Commons to be sent to the environment and Sustainable Development (Envi) committee. The Bill S5 is going to be amended to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) 1999.  The bill is expected to bring a watch list to the regulation which many in the industry believe could make the regulation unworkable and confusing. This watch list is designed for the chemicals with hazardous properties, amend procedures for confidential business information (CBI) claims, and recognize a right to a healthy environment. 

In summary the Bill S5 would bring the following updates and changes to the CEPA 1999:

1. More control on the elements with a significant activity, by bringing additional control measurement on these substances for example by changing the information and timeline submission process.

2. Giving more control to the Canadian government to add substances on the “In-Commerce List” (ICL) to the Domestic Substances List (DSL).

3. Giving The Canadian government to change or remove substances from the Domestic Substances List (DSL).

4. Develop and publish new risk assessment for existing substance to Strengthen chemicals management plan.

5. Setup and Implement a new framework for individuals to have the right to a healthy environment in Canada  under CEPA1999.

6. Bring new methods and standards to help and improve Information gathering.

In the following weeks the Minister of Environment and Climate Change would be invited to appear before the Envi committee to answer any question or concerns that they may have.

The Canadian government has proposed adding Solvent Violet 13 to the country’s list of toxic substances under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which is likely to trigg...

The Canadian government has proposed adding Solvent Violet 13 to the country’s list of toxic substances under Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), which is likely to trigger risk management actions. 

The stakeholders have 60 days to comment on the proposal - until 30 November 2022. While the regulation itself does not impose regulatory requirements, it would empower the environmental and health departments to manage the potential health risks of the colorant, likely focusing on its use in cosmetics. 

Solvent Violet 13 is used in many cosmetic products, including body lotions, lipsticks, and hair dyes, along with candles, pet shampoos, and food packaging. The 2018 draft screening assessment noted that exposure to the substance from some cosmetic products is the biggest concern. 

In July 2021, Canada’s environment and health ministries suggested including Solvent Violet 13 to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, a move that would restrict the dye’s use in cosmetics placed in the country. 

In its proposal on 1 October 2022, the government said it would consider the effects of potential risk management policies and consult with stakeholders before taking further action.

If you have further queries regarding Canadian Regulations, please contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.com. For more information regarding our services kindly visit our site https://www.gpcgateway.com. 

On 17 august 2022, the government of Canada (published in the Canada Gazette) issued notification requirements for some new uses of the paint additive calcium 2-ethyl hexanoate. In 2018, Canada ca...

On 17 august 2022, the government of Canada (published in the Canada Gazette) issued notification requirements for some new uses of the paint additive calcium 2-ethyl hexanoate.

In 2018, Canada came to the conclusion that while the chemical is not toxic at the current levels of exposure, its possible developmental effects make it potentially dangerous for human health if its use increases. It was therefore suggested to impose a Significant New Activity (SNAc) provision of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) to enable the government to evaluate the risk of certain new uses prior to their approval in Canada.

As published in the Canada Gazette on 17 August 2022, SNAc should be notified if calcium 2-ethylhexonate is used in cosmetics or consumer products above 0.1 % by weight. Paints and coatings that dry as a solid film and have a concentration under 0.5 % by weight are exceptions. Import of more than 10 kg per year for such uses should submit a Significant New Activity notice (SNAn).

Calcium 2-ethyl hexanoate was evaluated along with 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate under the Chemicals Management Plans (CMP).

If you have further queries regarding Canadian Regulations, please contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.com. For more information regarding our services kindly visit our site https://www.gpcgateway.com.

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has issued a draft safety standard on ton containers for the transport of dangerous goods, with the consultation open until 24 October. A ton container i...

The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has issued a draft safety standard on ton containers for the transport of dangerous goods, with the consultation open until 24 October.

A ton container is a large cylindrical drum made of steel that is used for the transport of hazardous materials.

The draft, which was released on 24 August 2022, provides specifications for anyone designing, maintaining, qualifying, inspecting, marking, choosing, and using ton containers. It also explains how manufacturing facilities must establish quality control systems to guarantee that containers comply with laws and regulatory requirements for facilities involved in their use.

The new regulation will replace the present Transport Canada regulation, TP 14877, which governs the transportation of dangerous products in big containers. Additionally, the pertinent sections of TP 14877 will be replaced by a new standard on tank cars for such rail transportation.

The main proposed changes include: 

• updating the list of documents applicable to the use of ton containers 
• updating definitions in the previous standard such as 'fusible plug' and 'modification' 
• updating the country’s dangerous goods list to make it consistent with the Canadian Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) regulations and the relevant Code of Federal Regulations of the United States (49 CFR) 
• incorporating requirements for quality management systems for manufacturers of ton containers
• removing requirements related to tank cars

The new safety standard will come into force when it is incorporated into the Canadian TDG regulations via a later regulatory amendment.

If you have further queries regarding Canadian Regulations, please contact GPC via compliance@gpcregulatory.com. For more information regarding our services kindly visit our site https://www.gpcgateway.com.

On 26th of august 2022, the Canadian government published the final screening assessment of silver and its components under Canada Gazette. Based on the substance addressed in the third phase of the c...

On 26th of august 2022, the Canadian government published the final screening assessment of silver and its components under Canada Gazette. Based on the substance addressed in the third phase of the chemicals Management plan, silver and its compounds were considered for new action. These actions would be based on the Chemical management plans (CMP). Based on this legislation ,seven substances of silver and its components which could be found in the environment are listed. However, the silver components are not only limited to these seven category identification. It should also be considered that based on the proposed ecological conditions only the mentioned substances (listed below) would undergo any action.

1. Silver.
2. Nitric acid silver(1+) salt.
3. Silver chloride (AgCl).
4. Silver bromide (AgBr).
5. Sulfuric acid, silver(1+) salt.
6. Silver oxide (Ag2O).
7. Silver sulfide (Ag2S).

Furthermore, follow up activities on these seven substance groups are under consideration and would be published in future. Although this assessment tries to cover all the risks and health hazards regarding human life and environment, further initiatives and additional information might be considered in the future.

Health Canada has released a proposal for public comment to create a unified regulatory framework for disinfectants and sanitizers. In Canada, biocidal products are currently governed by distinct reg...

Health Canada has released a proposal for public comment to create a unified regulatory framework for disinfectants and sanitizers. In Canada, biocidal products are currently governed by distinct regulatory systems. Surface sanitizers are governed by the Pest Control Products Act, while disinfectants are governed by the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) (PCPA). At present, The Food and Drugs Act is the only law that regulates products that claim to be disinfection and sanitizer (FDA).

According to the agency, the proposed revisions would "enable more international harmonisation, lower the administrative cost, provide stronger post-market control, and provide Canadians with more prompt access to biocides" by combining requirements from several rules. The proposed regulations also include the use of foreign decisions (UFD) pathway, which would allow applicants to use a trusted foreign regulatory authority's judgement when applying for market authorisation of an identical product in Canada. Also, the suggested flexibilities would allow these products to be regulated by the US EPA and other nations.

According to the proposed proposal, you only need to submit one application for marketing authorisation. This may include multiple products with slight deviations. However, the associated data package must be applied to all products listed in the application. The market authorisation holder, importer, or manufacturer would be required to submit recalls under the new guidelines. The public consultation will be open until July 16^th and the biocides laws would go into force a year after they are published in the Canada Gazette. The new biocides regulations would require registrants and holders of authorizations to complete an abridged application and acquire authorization within four years of its implementation.

Canada has presented a long-awaited proposal to impose strict restrictions on a range of long-chain PFASs and flame retardants, as well as bans on dechloranplus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDP...

Canada has presented a long-awaited proposal to impose strict restrictions on a range of long-chain PFASs and flame retardants, as well as bans on dechloranplus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). According to a Canada Gazette notice, adopting the proposal – which the Canadian government floated in a 2018 consultation document – would position the country to ratify and implement amendments to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and help it achieve other environmental goals. 

The 'Prohibition of Certain Toxic Compounds Restrictions, 2022' would repeal and replace existing regulations prohibiting certain long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as persistent flame retardants. Within three years, the amended restrictions are expected to make the manufacture, use, sale, and import of DP and DBDPE, as well as items containing them, illegal. They also want to go to the "next step" of risk management for the following chemicals by eliminating current exemptions:
 

• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA);
• perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCA); 
• hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD); 
• and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including decaBDE.

However, there are certain exceptions due to sunset. They include manufactured items containing PFOA and LC-PFCAs, an exemption for PFOS in certain photolithography processes and photographic films, and several carve-outs that had allowed the continued sale of products containing the regulated substances manufactured before 2017. According to the Stockholm Convention, an exemption will be granted until the end of 2025 for the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing PFOA or LC-PFCAs in emergency situations, as well as for testing reasons, provided emissions are properly contained and disposed of.

If no viable alternative exists, companies can seek permission to continue using DP, DBDPE, or HBCD for up to three years. Interested parties have 75 days to submit comments and 60 days to submit a notice of complaint requesting the government to create a board of review.