Phenol, methylstyrenated permitted with conditions

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue publishes several government notices on environment, fisheries, radio rules and federal appointments. The biggest practical item lets a single notifier make or import the chemical phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS 68512-30-1) under limits and controls set out in Ministerial Condition No. 22313 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Other items update who must keep reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry for 2025 and 2026, announce future plastics reporting for 2027–2029, confirm an agreement with Saskatchewan on wastewater rules, publish radio technical standards, and list federal appointment openings.

What it does#

• Ministerial condition for the chemical:

  • Allows the notifier named in the file to manufacture or import phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS 68512-30-1), but only under strict conditions in Ministerial Condition No. 22313.
  • Limits use to being a component of an adhesive that is either:
    • applied in a spray booth or enclosed area that captures and collects overspray, or
    • used for small maintenance/repair jobs at a site in amounts no more than 10 kg of adhesive per day, per site.
  • Requires transfers only to people who agree to follow the conditions.
  • Requires the notifier to inform the Minister at least 120 days before starting manufacture in Canada and to provide detailed information about quantities, site, transport, releases and disposal plans.
  • Sets disposal rules: containers must be rinsed and wastes must be either incinerated or sent to an engineered hazardous waste landfill.
  • Requires record keeping (at the notifier’s Canadian place of business) for at least five years.
  • The conditions came into force on February 19, 2026.

• Plastics reporting:

  • Amends the existing notice for the Federal Plastics Registry so that producers of certain items must keep reporting for the calendar years 2025 and 2026.
  • Specifically continues reporting on parts listed in Schedule 1, including Category 1 (Electronic and Electrical Equipment) and Category 8 (Single-use or disposable products).
  • Announces an intent to issue a new reporting notice covering 2027, 2028 and 2029 and to consult stakeholders about it.

• Wastewater administrative agreement:

  • Announces that the federal government and Saskatchewan have finalized an administrative agreement on how the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations will be administered in that province. The agreement is available as of March 14, 2026.

• Radio technical standards:

  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published SRSP-300-Gen, issue 2 and SRSP-301.7, issue 5. These set technical rules for fixed radio systems above 960 MHz, and for the 1700–1710 MHz and 1780–1850 MHz bands. The documents are now official (published March 2, 2026) and can be commented on through the standard change process.

• Appointments:

  • The Privy Council Office lists several open Governor in Council appointment opportunities with closing dates between March 13, 2026 and March 19, 2026.

Who's affected#

• The company or person who submitted the notification about phenol, methylstyrenated (the notifier) and any firms they sell or transfer the substance to.
• Businesses that use adhesives in spray applications or small maintenance teams that might use adhesives — especially if they handle this specific chemical.
• Waste handlers and hazardous-waste landfill or incineration operators who would receive wastes or containers.
• Producers required to report to the Federal Plastics Registry — notably manufacturers of packaging, electronic and electrical equipment, and single-use or disposable plastics destined for residential waste — who must file data for 2025 and 2026 and prepare for future reporting for 2027–2029.
• The Government of Saskatchewan, municipal wastewater managers in Saskatchewan, and anyone regulated under the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations in that province.
• Companies and operators who use fixed radio systems in the affected frequency bands. They should review the newly published SRSP documents.
• Canadians interested in federal board or commission appointments.

If it is unclear whether you are covered by a notice (for example, whether a specific plastic product or a radio installation fits the categories), the Gazette text does not say — you may need to check the full notices or contact the listed departments.

Why it matters#

• The ministerial condition shows the government is allowing a potentially risky chemical to be used, but only in narrow ways meant to limit releases and exposures. That affects worker safety, local air and wastewater quality where the chemical is used.
• Continuing plastics reporting for 2025 and 2026 keeps data flowing about plastics placed into the residential waste stream. That matters to companies tracking compliance and to policymakers who use the data for waste and recycling planning.
• The Saskatchewan administrative agreement clarifies who enforces wastewater rules in that province. That can change how wastewater plants are inspected and regulated locally.
• The updated radio standards affect businesses that plan or operate fixed radio links. Following the SRSPs helps avoid interference and keeps spectrum use efficient.
• The appointment listings are a routine way the government fills leadership roles; they matter if you want to apply or follow public appointments.