Amendments to CEPA and Food and Drugs Act

Summary#

On June 13, 2023, Royal Assent was given to Bill S-5, which changes federal laws dealing with environmental protection and food/drug safety. The bill amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, makes related changes to the Food and Drugs Act, and repeals the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act.

What it does#

• Confirms that Bill S-5 received Royal Assent by written declaration on June 13, 2023.
• Amends the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the main federal law for regulating toxic substances and other environmental risks).
• Makes related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act.
• Repeals the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act (the law focused on that specific chemical).
• Notes that Standing Order 130 about private bills was published earlier on November 20, 2021 (administrative notice included in the same Gazette item).

Who's affected#

• Businesses and organizations that make, import, sell, or use chemicals and products covered by these federal laws.
• People and groups involved in environmental protection and food or drug safety oversight.
• The general public where chemical regulation affects water, air, food, or consumer products.
• The Gazette text does not give technical details, so it is unclear exactly which companies, products, or activities will change immediately; those details usually appear later in regulations or guidance.

Why it matters#

• Changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Food and Drugs Act can shift how certain chemicals are evaluated, restricted, or controlled. That affects industry compliance, product safety, and environmental health.
• Repealing the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act removes that stand-alone law about one chemical; how that chemical will be managed now depends on the new or updated rules under the amended laws.
• The Gazette notice itself does not explain operational details or effective dates for the new rules. People and businesses directly affected should watch for further regulations, government guidance, or announcements that spell out specific requirements.