Environment notices: chemicals, plastics, species

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue (published February 1, 2020) contains several Environment notices from Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Species at Risk Act. The notices cover: a limited permit for a specific chemical, a proposed requirement to notify the government before new uses of the pesticide/drug mitotane (CAS 53-19-0), the screening outcome for heptamethylnonane (CAS 4390-04-9), a draft national science review of plastic pollution, and the formal listing of critical habitat for American Ginseng and the Spotted Turtle on some federal lands.

What it does#

• Ministerial Condition No. 20160: Allows a single notifier to manufacture or import the substance 9‑octadecenoic acid (Z)-, compd. with (Z)-N-9-octadecenyl-1,3-propanediamine (CAS 40027-38-1), but only for making engine or transmission lubricants. It requires record-keeping, limits transfers to people who agree to the same use, and sets rules for reporting accidental releases. This condition came into force on January 22, 2020.
• Notice of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List: Proposes to apply the “significant new activity” (SNAc) rules to mitotane (CAS 53-19-0). Any person planning a new use would have to notify the ministers at least 180 days before the activity. The proposal uses a 0 kg threshold (meaning any new use could trigger notification) but excludes already approved therapeutic uses regulated by Health Canada.
• Publication after screening assessment of heptamethylnonane (HMN, CAS 4390-04-9): The draft assessment found low ecological and human-health concern and proposes no further federal action at this time. Import quantities reported to Canada ranged from 10,000 to 100,000 kg.
• Draft science assessment of plastic pollution: Releases an executive summary that reviews what is known about sources, occurrence, and possible effects of macroplastics and microplastics. It estimates about 29,000 tonnes of plastic pollution in Canada in 2016 (about 1% of plastic waste) and identifies key research gaps. A public comment period of 60 days was opened.
• Species at Risk habitat notices: For American Ginseng and the Spotted Turtle, the government says that, starting 90 days after publication, protections under subsection 58(1) of the Species at Risk Act will apply to federally owned lands where the species’ critical habitat overlaps certain National Wildlife Areas and Bird Sanctuaries. Some location details remain restricted to protect the species.

Who's affected#

• Chemical manufacturers, importers, and companies that handle lubricants tied to the specific permitted substance (CAS 40027-38-1). They must follow use limits and keep records.
• Any person or business planning a new use, import or manufacture of mitotane (CAS 53-19-0) outside existing approved medical uses. This includes industrial users, researchers, and importers who would have to submit a SNAc notification.
• Companies that import or use heptamethylnonane (HMN) will note the draft conclusion of low concern (no new controls proposed), but can still comment during the 60‑day period.
• Researchers, municipal and provincial governments, environmental groups and industries concerned about plastic pollution. The draft assessment is meant to guide research and policy.
• Land managers, federal park and wildlife staff, and anyone working on federally owned lands that overlap the defined critical habitat for American Ginseng and the Spotted Turtle. Exact protected locations are partly withheld to prevent harm.

Why it matters#

• The ministerial condition shows how the government can allow a chemical to be used in a very narrow way while trying to limit environmental release and keep traceability through records. That affects supply chains for specialty lubricants.
• The proposed SNAc for mitotane is a preventive step. It would let regulators see new uses before they begin. That matters because mitotane is toxic to aquatic life and even small new releases could matter.
• The HMN finding of low concern means fewer immediate regulatory changes for that chemical, which can affect business planning and importing decisions.
• The plastic pollution draft pulls together national evidence. It highlights gaps and points toward future research and possible actions to reduce plastic pollution. Citizens, scientists and policy makers can use this to push for changes in waste and product design.
• Applying critical-habitat protections to federal lands for two endangered species strengthens on-the-ground protection. That can affect activities on those federal lands and helps conserve species that need mature, undisturbed habitats.