Add 'P' to 264 Polymers; Piperazine SNAc

Summary#

The Government of Canada is asking for comments on two Environment notices about chemicals on the Domestic Substances List. First, it proposes adding the letter “P” to the identifiers of 264 polymers to show they met reduced information requirements when originally assessed. Second, it published a final assessment of piperazine (CAS RN 110-85-0) that finds no current toxic risk but proposes to require notification for certain new uses.

What it does#

• Polymers:

  • Proposes to add the letter “P” to the identifiers of 264 polymers on the Domestic Substances List.
  • That letter means the form assessed met the “reduced regulatory requirement” polymer criteria.
  • The change clarifies that only those reduced‑requirement forms are covered by the List. If someone wants to import or make a form that does not meet the reduced criteria, they would need to provide information before doing so.
  • The public can comment on this proposal within 120 days.

• Piperazine:

  • The final assessment finds piperazine does not currently meet the harm criteria in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The ministers will take no further action on it for now.
  • At the same time, the government proposes to apply Significant New Activity (SNAc) rules to piperazine. That would require a formal notification (a SNAN) and supporting information before starting certain new activities.
  • Notification would be required at least 90 days before starting a covered activity.
  • The proposed triggers for notification include manufacture or import of products that contain piperazine at or above 0.1% by weight (except some epoxy adhesives/plastic bonder epoxy products, where the threshold is 1.5%), and import of more than 10 kg of piperazine in such products in a calendar year.
  • The public can comment on the SNAc proposal within 60 days.

Who's affected#

• Companies that make or import polymers in Canada, especially those that handle any of the 264 named polymer identifiers.
• Manufacturers, importers and sellers of products that may contain piperazine, including certain consumer products, cosmetics, and some epoxy adhesive products.
• Downstream users who buy products containing these substances (retailers, formulators, and some industrial users).
• Anyone who wants to submit information or object: the notices invite public comments and provide routes for confidential information claims.
• If it is unclear whether a specific product or polymer form is affected, the notice says to consult guidance or contact Environment staff.

Why it matters#

• The polymer change clarifies which polymer forms are treated as low‑concern. That matters for companies deciding whether they must notify the government before importing or making different forms. It can affect paperwork, timelines, and market access for some chemical products.
• The piperazine SNAc proposal is a precaution. Even though the substance was not found to currently be toxic under the law, the government wants advance notice if new uses would raise exposures — for example, wider use in cosmetics or consumer products. That gives regulators time to assess health or environmental risks before those uses start.
• Both measures are about making sure new or changed uses of chemicals get assessed before they reach the public or the environment. They could affect product formulation and import decisions for businesses, and they give the public a chance to comment.