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Health Canada has released a proposal for public comment to create a unified regulatory framework for disinfectants and sanitizers. In Canada, biocidal products are currently governed by distinct regulatory systems. Surface sanitizers are governed by the Pest Control Products Act, while disinfectants are governed by the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) (PCPA). At present, The Food and Drugs Act is the only law that regulates products that claim to be disinfection and sanitizer (FDA).

According to the agency, the proposed revisions would "enable more international harmonisation, lower the administrative cost, provide stronger post-market control, and provide Canadians with more prompt access to biocides" by combining requirements from several rules. The proposed regulations also include the use of foreign decisions (UFD) pathway, which would allow applicants to use a trusted foreign regulatory authority's judgement when applying for market authorisation of an identical product in Canada. Also, the suggested flexibilities would allow these products to be regulated by the US EPA and other nations.

According to the proposed proposal, you only need to submit one application for marketing authorisation. This may include multiple products with slight deviations. However, the associated data package must be applied to all products listed in the application. The market authorisation holder, importer, or manufacturer would be required to submit recalls under the new guidelines. The public consultation will be open until July 16^th and the biocides laws would go into force a year after they are published in the Canada Gazette. The new biocides regulations would require registrants and holders of authorizations to complete an abridged application and acquire authorization within four years of its implementation.

Canada has presented a long-awaited proposal to impose strict restrictions on a range of long-chain PFASs and flame retardants, as well as bans on dechloranplus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). According to a Canada Gazette notice, adopting the proposal – which the Canadian government floated in a 2018 consultation document – would position the country to ratify and implement amendments to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and help it achieve other environmental goals. 

The 'Prohibition of Certain Toxic Compounds Restrictions, 2022' would repeal and replace existing regulations prohibiting certain long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as well as persistent flame retardants. Within three years, the amended restrictions are expected to make the manufacture, use, sale, and import of DP and DBDPE, as well as items containing them, illegal. They also want to go to the "next step" of risk management for the following chemicals by eliminating current exemptions:
 

• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA);
• perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCA); 
• hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD); 
• and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including decaBDE.

However, there are certain exceptions due to sunset. They include manufactured items containing PFOA and LC-PFCAs, an exemption for PFOS in certain photolithography processes and photographic films, and several carve-outs that had allowed the continued sale of products containing the regulated substances manufactured before 2017. According to the Stockholm Convention, an exemption will be granted until the end of 2025 for the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing PFOA or LC-PFCAs in emergency situations, as well as for testing reasons, provided emissions are properly contained and disposed of.

If no viable alternative exists, companies can seek permission to continue using DP, DBDPE, or HBCD for up to three years. Interested parties have 75 days to submit comments and 60 days to submit a notice of complaint requesting the government to create a board of review.