First update, dealing with chlorinated paraffins, from Canada Gazette:

Chlorinated paraffins refer to three classes of substances: short chain chlorinated paraffins (i.e. chlorinated paraffins with 10–13 carbon atoms), medium chain chlorinated paraffins (i.e. chlorinated paraffins with 14–17 carbon atoms) and long chain chlorinated paraffins (i.e. chlorinated paraffins with 18 or more carbon atoms). In Canada, these substances are mainly used in metalworking, in plastics/rubber and as lubricating additives.

Chlorinated paraffins were initially assessed under the first Priority Substances List program. The assessment report concluded that short chain chlorinated paraffins constitute or may constitute a danger to human health or life as set out in CEPA 1999 (see footnote 1); however, data identified at that time were considered insufficient to conclude whether short, medium or long chain chlorinated paraffins were harmful to the environment or whether medium or long chain chlorinated paraffins were considered a danger to human health. Discussions aimed at managing the risks posed by short chain chlorinated paraffins were engaged with stakeholders under the framework of the Toxic Substances Management Policy. However, risk management discussions were suspended, pending the generation and review of new information concerning the risk of chlorinated paraffins to human health and the environment.

Final follow-up assessment report on chlorinated paraffins

Environment Canada and Health Canada conducted the follow-up assessment report on chlorinated paraffins pursuant to section 68 of CEPA 1999.

The final assessment concludes that

• all chlorinated paraffins meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA 1999; and
• chlorinated paraffins containing up to 20 carbon atoms (short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, as well as liquid long chain paraffins) meet the criteria under paragraph 64(a) of CEPA 1999.

Based on conclusions of the assessment, it is therefore recommended that all chlorinated paraffins be added to the Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999.

Furthermore, chlorinated paraffins containing up to 20 carbon atoms are predominantly anthropogenic and the available data regarding their persistence and bioaccumulation potential indicates that they satisfy the criteria outlined in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations, made under CEPA 1999. Chlorinated paraffins containing up to 20 carbon atoms thus meet the criteria for virtual elimination (see footnote 2) of releases to the environment as set out in the Toxic Substances Management Policy.

The second update, on a variety of substances, available here:

Chemical substances used in human activity can have detrimental effects on the environment and human health when released in a certain quantity or concentration in the environment. Scientific assessments of the impact of human and environmental exposure to a number of these substances have determined that these substances are toxic to human health and the environment as per section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

The objective of the proposed Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (hereinafter referred to as the proposed Order) made pursuant to subsection 90(1) of CEPA 1999, is to add the following substances:

1. Propanedinitrile, [[4-[[2-(4-cyclohexylphenoxy)ethyl]ethylamino] -2-methylphenyl]methylene]- (CAS No. 54079-53-7);
3. Methyloxirane (CAS No. 75-56-9);
4. Ethyloxirane (CAS No. 106-88-7);
5. Naphthalene (CAS No. 91-20-3);
6. Toluene diisocyanates (three substances: CAS No. 26471-62-5, 584-84-9 and 91-08-7);
7. 1,2-Benzenediol (CAS No. 120-80-9);
8. 1,4-Benzenediol (CAS No. 123-31-9).

to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999. This addition would enable the departments to develop management measures with respect to taking preventive or control actions in relation to these substances.

Click on the links for more information.

Another item of interest in the Canada Gazette:

Whereas the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health have assessed information pertaining to the substance Butanamide,
3-oxo-, Chemical Abstracts Service No. 5977-14-0;

And whereas the Ministers suspect that the substance is toxic;

The Minister of the Environment, pursuant to paragraph 84(1)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, hereby permits the manufacture or import of the substance in accordance with the conditions of the following annex.

Click on the above link for more information.

From The Government of Canada:

On August 23, 2008, 17 Notices relating to the release of draft screening assessments for the 19 substances in Batch 3 of the Challenge were published in the Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 142 No. 34 and the draft screening assessments were released on this web site (see below).

There is a 60-day public comment period associated with these publications. Public comments may be submitted (from August 23, 2008 to October 22, 2008) on (a) the draft screening assessments and (b) the proposal to pursue one of the measures as specified under subsection 77(2) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). Details on how to submit public comments can be found within the applicable Canada Gazette Notices for each substance in the tables below. Please note that the public comment periods will not be extended. Given the Government’s commitment to finalizing the screening assessments by the deadlines specified below, any information received after the end of the public comment period may not be taken into consideration in the final assessment report.

A. Substances identified during categorization as persistent, bioaccumulative, and inherently toxic to non-human organisms and believed to be in commercial use in Canada.

• CAS No. 81-68-5
• CAS No. 1594-08-7
• CAS No. 2425-85-6
• CAS No. 2814-77-9
• CAS No. 3468-63-1
• CAS No. 4395-65-7
• CAS No. 6410-09-0
• CAS No. 6410-13-5
• CAS No. 6410-41-9
• CAS No. 6471-01-8
• CAS No. 20241-76-3
• CAS No. 25155-25-3
• CAS No. 60352-98-9
• CAS No. 72243-90-4
• CAS No. 74336-60-0

B. Substances identified during categorization as a high hazard to humans and as having a high likelihood of exposure to individuals in Canada

• CAS No. 110-49-6
• CAS No. 111-15-9
• CAS No. 111-77-3
• CAS No. 1589-47-5

Click on the links for more information.

Some of the proposed amendments, from the Canada Gazette:

The following changes are proposed to implement the comments and recommendations of the SJCSR:

* a discrepancy was identified in the French and English versions of the FHR 2003 in the definition of “small refrigeration system” and the use of this definition in section 16. Both versions of the FHR 2003 have been revised to harmonize the definition and wording of section 16;

* align the French and English versions of subsection 6(1) by replacing the wording “… un type spécifique d’halocarbure” with “… le type d’halocarbure en cause” in the French version of the subsection;

* align the French and English version of subsection 22(1) by replacing the wording “Toute personne qui installe, entretient ou charge un système d’extinction d’incendie, …” with “Il est interdit d’installer, d’entretenir ou de charger un système d’extinction d’incendie, …” in the French version of the subsection;

* the wording of section 36 and its heading of the French version have been revised, where applicable, to change from singular to plural in order to harmonize with the English version of the section; and

* align the French heading for column 2 of Schedule 2 with the English one by replacing the wording “Nature du formulaire” with the more generic term “Nature du document.”

Click on the above link for the full proposed amendment.

From the Canada Gazette:

Part I of the Non-domestic Substances List (see footnote 1) is amended by deleting the following:

57843-53-5

68016-13-7

Click on the above link for more information.

From the Canada Gazette:

1. In relation to the substance Thioimidodicarbonic acid ((HO) C(O)NHC(S)(OH)), C,C′-dibutyl ester, a significant new activity is

(a) any activity involving the substance in any quantity, other than for use as a mining flotation reagent; or

(b) the use of the substance as a mining flotation reagent and its discharge to the aquatic environment through effluents containing more than 30 μg/L of the substance.

2. A person that proposes a significant new activity set out in this notice for this substance shall provide to the Minister of the Environment, at least 90 days prior to the commencement of the proposed significant new activity, the following information:

(a) a description of the proposed significant new activity in relation to the substance;

(b) the information specified in Schedule 4 of the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers);

(c) the information specified in item 8 of Schedule 5 to those Regulations; and

(d) the information specified in item 11 of Schedule 6 to those Regulations.

Click on the above link for more information.

Some details from the Canada Gazette:

6. No person shall manufacture any polybrominated diphenyl ether referred to in section 1 or any resin, polymer or other mixture containing a polybrominated diphenyl ether set out in the schedule.

7. (1) No person shall use, sell, offer for sale or import a polybrominated diphenyl ether set out in the schedule or any resin, polymer or other mixture containing such a substance.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any polybrominated diphenyl ether or resin, polymer or other mixture that is to be

(a) re-processed on-site in a process from which there are no releases of the substance; or

(b) disposed of in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction where the disposal is to take place.

Click on the above link for the full details.

From the Canada Gazette:

Publication of Final Decision on the Screening Assessment of Substances — Batch 1

• CAS No. 78-63-7
• CAS No. 1068-27-5
• CAS No. 6731-36-8
• CAS No. 54079-53-7
• CAS No. 12236-64-5
• CAS No. 43035-18-3
• CAS No. 59487-23-9
• CAS No. 75-56-9
• CAS No. 106-88-7
• CAS No. 26471-62-5
• CAS No. 91-20-3
• CAS No. 123-31-9

Publication of Results of Investigations and Recommendations for Substances

• CAS No. 584-84-9
• CAS No. 91-08-7
• CAS No. 120-80-9

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From the Canada Gazette:

1. In relation to the substance Alkanoic acid, dihydroxy-,2-alkyl esters, a significant new activity is

(a) manufacturing it in Canada in any quantity; or

(b) importing, distributing, using or selling it in Canada, in any quantity, for any activity other than for use as a lubricant additive for engine oils.

2. A person that proposes a significant new activity set out in this Notice for this substance shall provide to the Minister of the Environment, at least 90 days prior to the commencement of the proposed significant new activity, the following information:

(a) a description of the proposed significant new activity in relation to the substance;

(b) the information specified in Schedule 4 of the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers);

(c) the information specified in item 8 of Schedule 5 to those Regulations;

(d) the information specified in item 11 of Schedule 6 to those Regulations; and

(e) where the proposed significant new activity in relation to the substance would lead to direct, repeated or prolonged human exposure, the information specified in item 10 of Schedule 6 to those Regulations.

Click on the above link for more information.

Some amendments to the Non-Domestic Substances List. From the Canada Gazette:

Part I of the Non-domestic Substances List… is amended by deleting the following:

26376-80-7

110532-40-6

37953-21-2

337974-35-3

68153-85-5

851053-78-6

68478-95-5

874486-19-8

Click on the above link for more information.