CEPA (Canada)
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 — the primary federal legislation for environmental protection and human health in Canada, governing chemicals management, air and water pollution, and waste.
Foresight tracks CEPA (Canada) developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
Current activity
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Last updated
29 March 2026, 18:28
Latest CEPA (Canada) alerts
The most recent regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight
Canada Updates Harmonized Substance Function and Application Codes for Reporting
Canada has updated its harmonized substance function and application codes for CEPA reporting to align with international OECD standards. Companies must update internal data mapping and reporting templates to ensure compliance with future mandatory information-gathering notices and New Substances Notifications.
CanadaCanada Grants CEPA Waivers of Information Requirements for Certain Living Organism Notifications
Canada has granted information waivers to 15 companies for new living organism notifications, exempting them from specific ecotoxicity and pathogenicity testing. This reflects the continued use of regulatory flexibility to streamline market access for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovations under CEPA.
CanadaCanada: Waivers Granted for Certain New-Substance Information Requirements Under CEPA 1999
Canada has issued case-by-case waivers for specific new-substance data requirements, exempting notified substances from certain toxicity and physical-chemical testing. This demonstrates the continued application of regulatory flexibility for market entrants, allowing for reduced compliance costs when specific data is deemed unnecessary for risk assessment.
CanadaCanada: Order 2026-87-03-02 Removes Three Entries From the Non-Domestic Substances List
Canada has removed three substances from the Non-Domestic Substances List (NDSL) to facilitate their addition to the Domestic Substances List (DSL). This transition reduces regulatory notification burdens for manufacturers and importers, signaling a shift to a less restrictive compliance regime for these specific chemicals.
CanadaCanada Adds 2-Ethylhexyl 2-Ethylhexanoate to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999 (SOR/2026-47)
Canada added 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate to Part 2 of Schedule 1 of CEPA as a toxic substance on March 13, 2026. This designation mandates the development of future risk management instruments prioritizing pollution prevention, signaling potential upcoming restrictions for manufacturers and importers.
CanadaCanada Amends Domestic Substances List SNAc Requirements for 223 Substances Under CEPA 1999 (SOR/2026-43)
Canada has standardized Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements for 223 substances on the Domestic Substances List, effective March 9, 2026. Manufacturers and importers must now provide 90-day advance notification for new activities, including specific concentration thresholds for consumer products and cosmetics.
CanadaCanada: New Data Challenges Alberta’s Claim of Early Methane‑Reduction Success
New analysis challenging Alberta’s methane emission data is pressuring negotiators to adopt stricter, measurement-based reporting in the upcoming April 2026 federal-provincial climate agreement. Operators should prepare for a shift from model-based estimates to mandatory top-down monitoring, increasing the likelihood of more aggressive enforcement and tighter venting and flaring controls.
CanadaCanada Announces Intent to Continue Federal Plastics Registry Reporting for 2027–2029
Canada has announced its intent to extend Federal Plastics Registry reporting requirements through 2029, signaling a long-term commitment to mandatory data collection on plastic resins and products. Businesses should prepare for sustained reporting obligations and potential scope expansions, necessitating robust internal data tracking systems to manage evolving circular economy and waste management disclosures.
CanadaCanada Amends Federal Plastics Registry Reporting Notice for 2025–2026
Canada has postponed Phase 2 and 3 reporting deadlines for the Federal Plastics Registry, extending current reporting obligations through 2026. While providing immediate administrative relief, businesses must ensure continued data tracking for packaging, electronics, and single-use plastics to meet future compliance windows.
CanadaCanada Issues CEPA Ministerial Condition No. 22313 For Phenol, Methylstyrenated (CAS 68512-30-1)
Canada has implemented Ministerial Condition No. 22313, restricting the use of phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS 68512-30-1) to specific adhesive applications under CEPA. Businesses must implement rigorous tracking of volumes and disposal methods, while ensuring downstream users formally commit to these restricted use conditions.
CanadaGlobal PFAS Regulatory Gaps Risk Shifting Pollution to Developing Countries
A March 2026 global analysis warns that diverging PFAS regulations are driving the relocation of PFAS-intensive manufacturing and waste to jurisdictions with weaker controls. Multinational firms should anticipate increased pressure for harmonized global restrictions and "polluter pays" obligations to address these regulatory gaps.
GlobalCanada ECCC Hosts Technical Meeting on Decontamination of Firefighting Systems
Environment and Climate Change Canada is convening technical experts to discuss decontamination protocols for transitioning firefighting systems away from PFAS-containing foams. This engagement signals an intensifying focus on remediation and legacy contamination management as Canada moves toward stricter risk management for PFAS in firefighting applications.
CanadaCanada Issues Significant New Activity Notice No. 22294 for Stannate Nanomaterial (CAS 12027-96-2)
Canada has implemented Significant New Activity (SNAc) Notice No. 22294 for Stannate (CAS 12027-96-2), effective March 7, 2026. Manufacturers must now submit detailed notifications before using the substance as a nanomaterial or in aerosolized consumer products, signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny of inhalation and nano-scale risks.
CanadaCanada Publishes Framework for Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials Under CEPA
Canada published a formal risk assessment framework for manufactured nanomaterials under CEPA in March 2026. This defines the methodology for future substance evaluations, requiring manufacturers to align data characterization and exposure scenarios with new regulatory expectations.
CanadaCanada Gazette Erratum Corrects CEPA Significant New Activity Notice Number to 22299
Canada has issued an administrative correction to the reference number of Significant New Activity (SNAc) Notice No. 22299 under CEPA. This update is purely clerical and does not alter substantive compliance obligations, notification thresholds, or regulatory timelines.
CanadaCanada: CELA Responds to Proposed Amendments to Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations
Canada has proposed extending the temporary sulphur compliance unit (SCU) trading system for gasoline through the 2026–2030 period. This extension provides continued operational flexibility for fuel suppliers to manage compliance costs while the government evaluates a permanent long-term trading framework.
CanadaCanada Adds Five Chemicals and Two Living Organisms to Domestic Substances List
Canada added five chemicals and two living organisms to the Domestic Substances List (DSL) in February 2026. This administrative update transitions these substances to the existing inventory, removing future notification requirements and simplifying market access.
CanadaCanada Amends CEPA Export Control List To Add Dechlorane Plus, Ferbam and Certain PFAS
Canada has expanded its Export Control List to include Dechlorane Plus, Ferbam, and various PFAS and flame retardants, aligning domestic law with international treaty obligations. Businesses must implement tracking and notification procedures for the export of these substances in mixtures and manufactured goods to ensure compliance with new permit requirements.
CanadaCanada Applies Significant New Activity (SNAc) Requirements to 2-Ethylhexyl-2-Ethylhexanoate
Canada has implemented Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements for 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate (CAS 7425-14-1), effective February 10, 2026. Companies must now notify authorities 180 days before manufacturing or importing consumer products containing this substance above 0.1%, reflecting a tightening of controls on substances with human health concerns.
CanadaCanada Applies Significant New Activity (SNAc) Provisions to Cyclohexylamine on Domestic Substances List
Canada has applied Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions to cyclohexylamine, requiring mandatory notification for new uses in consumer products and cosmetics at concentrations ≥ 0.1%. Impacted firms must audit formulations and ensure notifications are submitted 90 days before commencing regulated activities to avoid compliance delays or market access restrictions.
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