Draft assessments: flame retardants and MSP

Summary#

On November 6, 2021, the Department of the Environment and the Department of Health published draft screening assessments under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 for 10 substances from a Flame Retardants Group and for one substance called MSP (CAS RN 68512-30-1). They propose adding some of these chemicals to Schedule 1 (which would start formal risk-management steps) while deciding not to take further action on others for now. The public has 60 days to comment.

What it does#

• For the Flame Retardants Group, the ministers propose that TPHP, BPDP, BDMEPPP, IDDP, IPPP and TEP meet one or more criteria in the Act and should be recommended for addition to Schedule 1. A risk‑management scope document was released to start stakeholder discussions.
• For the same group, the ministers propose that TBOEP, TEHP, BEHP and TDBDPB do not meet the Act’s criteria and that no further action is needed at this time. They are considering follow-up monitoring for TBOEP and TDBDPB.
• For MSP (CAS RN 68512-30-1), the ministers propose it meets one or more criteria and would also be recommended for addition to Schedule 1. A risk‑management scope was released.
• A public comment period of 60 days is open. The full draft assessments and risk‑management scope documents are available on the Canada.ca chemical substances pages, and comments can be sent to Environment and Climate Change Canada (email and online options were provided in the notice).

Who's affected#

• Companies that make, import or use the named chemicals in Canada, including firms in plastics, foam, textiles, paints and coatings, adhesives, building materials, food packaging, pest control products and nail‑care products.
• Product manufacturers and brands that use these chemicals in mattresses, furniture, toys, infant/child restraint seats and other foam-containing items.
• Workers, environmental groups and researchers tracking chemical risks.
• Consumers, especially parents and caregivers, because some of the substances are found in household items and could lead to exposure for infants and children.
• For TDBDPB, the assessment notes it was not in current use in Canada at the time of the report, so domestic businesses may be less affected.

Why it matters#

• If the proposed Schedule 1 listings go ahead, the government can develop regulations or other controls. That could change what chemicals are allowed in products sold in Canada.
• The assessments identify possible environmental harm (aquatic and wildlife effects) and some human‑health exposure concerns, particularly for infants and children who contact foam-containing products. That explains why some substances are being targeted for action.
• The notice is a formal chance for industry, researchers and the public to provide additional information within the 60‑day comment window before final decisions are made.