Canada Industrial Chemical Substance Inventory Information

Canada maintains the Domestic Substances List (DSL) and the Non-Domestic Substances List (NDSL) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The DSL contains over 28,000 chemicals that are actively used in the Canadian market, while the NDSL lists internationally recognized chemicals and contains approximately 49,000 substances. Chemicals not on these lists are treated as new and are subject to notification requirements, including risk assessments, prior to introduction. 

Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), substances are classified as: 

• DSL Substances: Simplified regulatory requirements, with periodic risk assessments to manage hazardous properties. 

• NDSL Substances: Chemicals that are internationally recognized but not actively used in Canada; require notification before use. 

• New Substances: Substances not listed in either inventory are considered new and must undergo rigorous risk assessment and pre-market approval. 

The DSL includes regulatory flags that indicate specific conditions or requirements for certain substances. These flags help manufacturers and importers identify notification obligations, regulatory exemptions, or administrative classifications. Some substances may have multiple applicable flags. 

• S Flag: Identifies substances subject to Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements before their inclusion on the DSL. 

• S′ (S Prime) Flag: Applied when substances become subject to SNAc requirements after being added to the DSL. 

• P Flag: Marks substances that meet the Reduced Regulatory Requirement (RRR) polymer criteria, requiring notification for forms that do not meet these criteria. 

• T Flag: Assigned to substances manufactured or imported during the transitional period (January 1, 1987 – July 1, 1994) and assessed by the New Substances Program. 

• N Flag: Designates substances notified and assessed as new substances after July 1, 1994, later added to the DSL based on their manufacture or import into Canada. 

In Canada, the DSL and the NDSL maintain public lists while permitting confidential entries for certain data points. Companies must request confidentiality at the time of notification and substantiate their claims. Regulatory authorities regularly review these claims to ensure they are consistent with the protection of intellectual property without compromising regulatory oversight.