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.
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Last updated
6 May 2026, 19:30
Latest CEPA (Canada) alerts
The most recent regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight
Canada Denies Request to Assess Desflurane under CEPA
In May 2026 Health Canada published a CEPA decision denying a public request to assess the anaesthetic desflurane, noting it is already covered by the broader PFAS class assessment. The decision confirms desflurane is treated as a toxic PFAS under CEPA and signals that any future risk management will come via wider PFAS measures rather than a separate substance-specific process.
CanadaCanada Enacts One Canadian Economy Act, Establishing Accelerated Regime for National-Interest Projects
Canada has enacted the One Canadian Economy Act, including a new Building Canada Act that creates an accelerated, highly centralised approval regime for designated national-interest projects under key environmental and energy laws. This framework could significantly reshape permitting timelines, transparency and risk for large industrial, energy and resource projects reliant on approvals under CEPA, the Impact Assessment Act, the Canadian Energy Regulator Act and the Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
CanadaCanada 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. Businesses must recalibrate internal data mapping to ensure accurate disclosure in future mandatory information-gathering notices and new substance 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 a strategic use of regulatory flexibility to accelerate market entry for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovations while maintaining risk-based oversight.
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 continued 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 to facilitate their transition to the Domestic Substances List. This administrative shift reduces notification burdens for manufacturers and importers by treating these chemicals as domestic substances under the national regulatory framework.
CanadaCanada Adds 2-Ethylhexyl 2-Ethylhexanoate to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999 (SOR/2026-47)
Canada formally designated 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate as a toxic substance under CEPA Schedule 1 effective March 2026. This listing triggers a legal requirement to develop risk management instruments that prioritize pollution prevention, signaling potential future prohibitions or strict use limits for chemical and consumer product manufacturers.
CanadaCanada Amends Domestic Substances List SNAc Requirements for 223 Substances Under CEPA 1999 (SOR/2026-43)
Canada has standardized Significant New Activity 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
Discrepancies in Alberta methane data are pressuring federal and provincial negotiators to mandate measurement-based reporting in the upcoming April 2026 climate agreement. Operators should prepare for a transition from model-based estimates to rigorous top-down monitoring and stricter controls on venting and flaring.
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 plastic data collection. Businesses should prepare for sustained reporting obligations and potential scope expansions, necessitating robust internal data tracking for evolving circular economy 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 while extending current reporting obligations for resins, electronics, and single-use plastics through 2026. Affected producers must maintain robust data collection systems to ensure compliance with ongoing reporting requirements despite the administrative delay in registry expansion.
CanadaCanada Issues CEPA Ministerial Condition No. 22313 For Phenol, Methylstyrenated (CAS 68512-30-1)
Canada has imposed strict use and disposal conditions on phenol, methylstyrenated, limiting its application to controlled adhesive processes under the national environmental protection act. Manufacturers and importers must secure written compliance commitments from downstream users and maintain rigorous supply chain records to ensure continued market access for this substance.
CanadaGlobal PFAS Regulatory Gaps Risk Shifting Pollution to Developing Countries
Global analysis indicates that fragmented PFAS regulations are shifting manufacturing and waste burdens to jurisdictions with weaker oversight, creating new hotspots. Companies should prepare for intensified international pressure toward harmonized chemical restrictions and expanded liability under the polluter-pays principle.
GlobalCanada ECCC Hosts Technical Meeting on Decontamination of Firefighting Systems
Environment and Climate Change Canada is formalizing technical standards for decontaminating firefighting systems as part of the national phase-out of PFAS-based foams. Companies must prepare for increased operational costs and liability associated with legacy equipment remediation to ensure compliance with emerging risk management requirements.
CanadaCanada Issues Significant New Activity Notice No. 22294 for Stannate Nanomaterial (CAS 12027-96-2)
Canada has introduced Significant New Activity Notice No. 22294 for Stannate, effective March 7, 2026, targeting nanomaterial and aerosolized consumer uses. Companies must submit detailed notifications before expanding into these high-risk applications, signaling stricter oversight of inhalation and nano-scale exposure pathways.
CanadaCanada Publishes Framework for Risk Assessment of Manufactured Nanomaterials Under CEPA
Canada has established a formal risk assessment framework for manufactured nanomaterials to standardize evaluations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Businesses must ensure substance characterization and exposure data align with these new methodological expectations to mitigate risks of future regulatory restrictions.
CanadaCanada Gazette Erratum Corrects CEPA Significant New Activity Notice Number to 22299
Canada has issued a clerical correction to the reference number of Significant New Activity Notice No. 22299 to resolve an error in the official gazette. This administrative update ensures regulatory clarity but does not impact substantive compliance obligations, notification thresholds, or existing timelines.
CanadaCanada: CELA Responds to Proposed Amendments to Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations
Canada is proposing to extend the temporary sulphur compliance unit trading system for gasoline through the 2026–2030 period. This extension provides fuel suppliers with continued flexibility to manage compliance costs while a permanent long-term regulatory framework is developed.
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 in February 2026. This administrative transition removes future new substance notification requirements for these materials, streamlining market access and reducing regulatory burden.
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, various PFAS, and flame retardants, aligning domestic export restrictions with international treaty obligations. Businesses must now integrate export notification and permit requirements into their supply chain compliance programs for substances found in mixtures and finished goods.
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