Canada - Key Regulatory Insights 2024

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999) remains Canada’s most important chemical control law, requiring assessments of new substances placed on the market after 1994. It mandates reviews of substances introduced before 1994, ensuring their safety for human health and the environment. Substances not on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) cannot be manufactured or imported without prior government approval, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to regulating hazardous chemicals effectively.

Bill S-5, known as the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, was adopted in 2023, marking a major amendment to CEPA for the first time in over two decades. It enhances protection for vulnerable communities, advances Indigenous reconciliation, strengthens chemical management strategies, and reduces reliance on animal testing. The government has until June 2025 to develop a comprehensive new plan for managing chemicals and integrating the right to a healthy environment into CEPA.

Canada has also begun transitioning to the seventh revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS7), replacing the fifth edition previously in use. This transition will occur over three years to allow industry stakeholders time to comply with updated classification and labeling standards.

Key News from 2024

Modernizing Canada's Environmental Protection: The Journey of Bill S-5

The modernization of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is underway, embedding the right to a healthy environment into law. The government has launched a public consultation schedule to strengthen CEPA, focusing on chemicals management, environmental monitoring, and reducing vertebrate animal testing. The initiative aligns with global best practices and aims to improve environmental health standards. Read more here.

Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Announce New Regulatory Developments under Updated CEPA

Following the passage of Bill S-5, Health Canada and ECCC have initiated new regulations focusing on high-risk substances and toxic chemical restrictions. A series of public consultations will take place in 2024–2025 to shape new frameworks for environmental protection, including a watch list approach for hazardous chemicals and strategies to minimize animal testing.Read more here.

Canada Amends Domestic Substances List to Enhance Environmental Protection and Public Health

The Canadian government has amended the Domestic Substances List to regulate three chemicals—AGE, o-CGE, and TGIC—introducing new Significant New Activity (SNAc) requirements. The move ensures that any significant new uses of these substances undergo thorough risk assessment before approval, aligning with the country's Chemicals Management Plan. Read more here.

Government of Canada Publishes Notice on Amendments to the Domestic Substances List Under CEPA

The government plans to unmask the identities of 198 substances currently listed under Part 3 of the Domestic Substances List to improve transparency. Public consultations are open for stakeholders to provide feedback on confidentiality and regulatory impacts, with changes expected to align with Bill S-5’s amendments. Read more here.

Government of Canada Publishes Notice on Amendments to the Domestic Substances List under CEPA

The government plans to unmask the identities of 198 substances currently listed under Part 3 of the Domestic Substances List to improve transparency. Public consultations are open for stakeholders to provide feedback on confidentiality and regulatory impacts, with changes expected to align with Bill S-5’s amendments. Read more here.

Key Dates for 2025

Health Canada amended the Hazardous Products Regulation (HPR) to align with GHS 7 and introduce a new "Chemicals Under Pressure" hazard class from GHS 8. A three-year transition period has been set, requiring full compliance by December 15, 2025.