Canada proposes to add organic substances in paint and flame retardants to Country’s toxic list

The Health and Environment Ministry of Canada has proposed a recommendation to add organic substance used in paints and six flame retardants to the country's toxic substances’ list. The six flame retardants are part of a group of ten substances that the government assessed to determine whether they have any health or environmental risks. 

These substances are to be added to Schedule 1 of the Act. The ministers also released a risk management scope document for these substances in initiating discussions with stakeholders on the development of risk management actions. Furthermore, this will allow the government to put restriction on the exposure of these chemicals.  

Out of these ten, some of the six chemicals poses risk to the environment, while others enter the environment in a quantity or concentration that may cause danger to human health. These six chemicals are:  

• triphenyl phosphate (TPHP); 
• tert-butylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (BPDP); 
• bis(tert-butylphenyl) phenyl phosphate (BDMEPPP); 
• isodecyl diphenyl phosphate (IDDP); 
• isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (IPPP); and  

• triethylphosphate (TEP). 

The ministries said they are planning regulatory action to minimise wastewater releases of TPHP, BPDP, BDMEPPP, IDDP and IPPP.  Also, the government will consider regulatory and non-regulatory measures to reduce dermal exposures of children to IPPP and TEP, which can be used in mattress covers and child seats. However, there is no additional action on the other four flame retardants that were evaluated in the assessment.

Companies submitted their comments on the draft screening assessment of the flame retardant group within 60 days from 6th November 2021. The final screening assessment and the proposed risk management approach is expected to come into force in November 2022.  

Last Update: 2021-11-30