Two Organisms Added to Domestic Substances List

Summary#

Order 2026-112-07-01 Amending the Domestic Substances List adds two living organisms to the Domestic Substances List, which means they are no longer treated as "new" under Canada’s new-substance rules. The order was registered on June 5, 2026 and published in the Canada Gazette on June 17, 2026.

What it does#

• Adds 2 living organisms to Part 7 of the Domestic Substances List:
  • 19834-2 N Unmodified risk group 1 lytic bacteriophage targeting Staphylococcus aureus
  • 19837-5 N Saccharomyces species YS372-C8
• Because these organisms are now on the Domestic Substances List, they are no longer subject to the New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms). That removes the requirement for the notifier to submit new‑substance notification and testing under those rules for these entries.
• The decision followed review by the federal ministers and the regulatory assessment period. The Order came into force on the day it was registered (registered June 5, 2026).

Who's affected#

• Companies and laboratories that import, manufacture, or sell these specific organisms. They will no longer need to file new‑substance notifications for them.
• Suppliers of microbial products, biotech firms, and some research facilities working with bacteriophages or Saccharomyces strains.
• The general public is unlikely to notice direct effects; the change mainly affects industry paperwork and permitting.

Why it matters#

• For businesses and researchers, this usually means less paperwork and fewer regulatory delays when bringing these particular organisms into the Canadian market or using them in Canada.
• It does not mean the government endorses the organisms or removes any other safety, health, or agricultural rules that might apply.
• The ministers reviewed information on these organisms before adding them, and the addition implies they were not identified as suspected of being toxic during that review.