Advance-Notice Rules for Three Glyme Solvents

Summary#

Order 2022-87-24-01 Amending the Domestic Substances List (under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999) adds special notice rules for three solvent chemicals so the government can review certain new uses before they happen. The order took effect on July 18, 2022 and does not change how the chemicals are currently used in Canada.

What it does#

• Applies the “significant new activity” (SNAc) rules to these three substances:
  • ethane, 1,2-dimethoxy- (monoglyme)
  • ethane, 1,1′-oxybis[2-methoxy-] (diglyme)
  • 2,5,8,11-tetraoxadodecane (triglyme)
• Triggers a required notification to the government when either:
  • the substance is used in making a consumer product, a natural health product, or a cosmetic at a concentration of 0.1% or more by weight; or
  • more than 10 kg of the substance is used in a calendar year in such products (and the product contains at least 0.1% by weight).
• Exemptions: uses for research and development, site-limited intermediates, or products made only for export do not need notification.
• What must be provided: a description of the proposed new use, anticipated annual quantity, product details and function, where it will be used (if known), any test data or other relevant information the notifier has, contact details, and a signed certification.
• Timing: the notification must be sent at least 90 days before the proposed activity starts, and the ministers aim to assess the submitted information within 90 days of receiving it.

Who's affected#

• Companies that manufacture, import, formulate or market:
  • consumer products (those covered by the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act),
  • natural health products (as defined in the Natural Health Products Regulations), and
  • cosmetics (as defined in the Food and Drugs Act), if their products would contain one of these substances at 0.1% or more, or if they would use more than 10 kg per year in such products.
• Manufacturers or importers considering new uses of these solvents in Canada.
• Retailers and consumers are affected indirectly if suppliers change product formulations or market availability.
• The order does not affect existing uses that do not meet the new-activity thresholds.

Why it matters#

• The three substances were found to have properties that could be harmful if exposure increased. The new rules give the government a chance to review and, if needed, limit risky new uses before they reach the market.
• For businesses, this means plan ahead: new product plans that meet the thresholds will require advance notification and possibly extra testing or data-gathering. There is no government fee to file a notification, but there may be costs to produce the required information.
• For the public, the measure aims to reduce the chance that these chemicals suddenly appear in everyday consumer items at levels that could increase health or environmental risks.