CEPA (Canada)

Health Canada Hosts Webinar on Automated Workflow for Prioritization (HAWPr)

Health Canada will host English and French stakeholder webinars on 15 June 2026 to explain its updated automated workflow (HAWPr) for prioritising chemicals for risk assessment under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. This signals how Canada will use data-rich, NAM-enabled screening to set future risk assessment priorities, so companies should understand how HAWPr may elevate their substances for further scrutiny.

23 May 2026, 11:19canada.caCanada

Canada Publishes Ketones Group Assessment and CEPA Section 77 Ministerial Statements

In May 2026, Canada published the final Ketones Group assessment under CEPA, proposed adding methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone to Schedule 1, and launched a 60-day consultation on risk management measures for their consumer uses while confirming no further action for seven other ketones and closer monitoring for 2,4-pentanedione. This signals likely future restrictions on key solvent uses in Canadian paints, coatings and other consumer products, so manufacturers and importers relying on MEK or MIBK should start reviewing formulations, supply chains and substitution strategies ahead of forthcoming CEPA controls.

18 May 2026, 17:24gazette.gc.caCanada

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.

6 May 2026, 19:30canada.caCanada

Canada 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.

3 May 2026, 15:01gazette.gc.caCanada

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. Businesses must recalibrate internal data mapping to ensure accurate disclosure in future mandatory information-gathering notices and new substance notifications.

29 Mar 2026, 18:28canada.caCanada

Canada 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.

29 Mar 2026, 17:38gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada: 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.

29 Mar 2026, 17:37gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada: 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.

29 Mar 2026, 17:37gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada 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.

27 Mar 2026, 18:32gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada 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.

27 Mar 2026, 18:31gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada: 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.

22 Mar 2026, 14:02pembina.orgCanada

Canada 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.

14 Mar 2026, 14:41gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada 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.

14 Mar 2026, 14:30gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada 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.

14 Mar 2026, 14:29gazette.gc.caCanada

Global 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.

12 Mar 2026, 20:34pubs.acs.orgGlobal

Canada 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.

11 Mar 2026, 17:06events.teams.microsoft.comCanada

Canada 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.

11 Mar 2026, 14:03gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada 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.

10 Mar 2026, 10:57canada.caCanada

Canada 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.

6 Mar 2026, 09:49gazette.gc.caCanada

Canada: 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.

5 Mar 2026, 06:45gazette.gc.caCanada