New SNAc Rules for 223 Chemicals

Summary#

Order 2026-87-20-01 Amending the Domestic Substances List is a federal order under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 that changes how certain chemicals are listed and handled. It applies “significant new activity” rules to 54 substances, updates the rules for 161 substances, keeps existing rules for 8 substances, and reorganizes Part 2 of the Domestic Substances List to make future listings clearer. The order was registered on March 9, 2026 and published in the Canada Gazette on March 25, 2026.

What it does#

• Moves or removes many chemicals from Part 1 and Part 2 of the Domestic Substances List and groups substances for consistent treatment.
• Splits Part 2 into two parts:
  • Division 1 for substances with individual requirements.
  • Division 2 for groups of substances that share the same new-activity rules.
• Creates Schedule 1 to the List. Schedule 1 sets out the exact information companies must give if they plan a significant new activity with a listed substance.
• Applies or changes “significant new activity” (SNAc) rules to a total of 223 substances:
  • Adds SNAc rules for 54 substances.
  • Varies SNAc rules for 161 substances.
  • Maintains prior SNAc rules for 8 substances.
• Sets thresholds and reporting rules. Examples from the order:
  • For CAS 122-60-1 (oxirane, (phenoxymethyl)-): SNAc applies if a product contains the substance at 0.1% by weight or more, or if imports of such products exceed 10 kg per year, or for other activities totaling more than 100 kg per year.
  • For CAS 10034-93-2 (hydrazine, sulfate (1:1)): SNAc applies if a product contains the substance at 1.0% by weight or more, or if imports of such products exceed 10 kg per year, or for other activities totaling more than 1 000 kg per year.
• Requires advance notice and data:
  • A Significant New Activity Notification (SNAN) must generally be provided at least 90 days before the activity starts.
  • The minister will assess submitted information within 90 days.
• Keeps exemptions in place for research-and-development uses, site-limited intermediates, and products intended only for export.

Who's affected#

• Companies that manufacture, import, distribute or use the listed chemicals. This includes:
  • Chemical manufacturers and formulators.
  • Importers of consumer products and cosmetics that may contain these substances.
  • Downstream suppliers and product manufacturers who could receive substances or products that are subject to SNAc rules.
• Regulators: the Minister of the Environment (and the federal departments that support assessments) will receive and review SNANs.
• Households and the general public are indirectly affected because the order aims to ensure new or expanded uses of certain chemicals are reviewed before they enter the Canadian market at higher levels.
• Export-only activities and certain research or site-limited intermediate uses are explicitly not treated as “significant new activities” under this order.

Why it matters#

• It forces companies to tell the government before they start new or expanded uses of certain chemicals that could increase exposure to people or the environment. That gives officials a chance to assess risks before the activity begins.
• The changes do not affect existing uses that were assessed as low risk; they target new or larger-scale changes in how substances are used or imported.
• The reorganization of the Domestic Substances List (Division 1 / Division 2 and Schedule 1) is meant to make future notices clearer and easier to follow for businesses and regulators.
• Practically, businesses considering new formulations, imports, or product changes that would push quantities over the listed thresholds (for example 10 kg, 100 kg, 1 000 kg, or higher depending on the substance) should expect to prepare technical data and submit a SNAN at least 90 days before starting the activity.