Non‑domestic Substances List Amendments and SAR Guidance

Summary#

The Department of the Environment published several orders that add or remove specific substances from the Non‑domestic Substances List under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Separately, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released two updated technical guides for measuring and simulating Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for wireless equipment operating between 100 kHz to 6 GHz.

What it does#

• Order 2025-66-04-02 Amending the Non‑domestic Substances List

  • Adds the substance listed as 19739-7 (Alkanediol, polymer with substituted-(substitutedalkyl)-trialkylcarbomonocycle, and N-[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]carbamate) to Part II of the Non‑domestic Substances List.
  • Comes into force on the day it was published (September 6, 2025).

• Order 2025-87-04-02 Amending the Non‑domestic Substances List

  • Deletes 27026-61-5 from Part I of the Non‑domestic Substances List.
  • Comes into force on the day the related Order amending the Domestic Substances List comes into force (date not specified in this notice).

• Order 2025-87-06-02 Amending the Non‑domestic Substances List

  • Deletes 14802-03-0 and 1204391-75-2 from Part I of the Non‑domestic Substances List.
  • Comes into force when the related Domestic Substances List order comes into force (date not given here).

• Order 2025-87-07-02 Amending the Non‑domestic Substances List

  • Deletes 19045-79-5 and 68442-85-3 from Part I of the Non‑domestic Substances List.
  • Comes into force when the related Domestic Substances List order comes into force (date not given here).

• Notice No. SMSE-009-25 (ISED)

  • Publishes RSS‑102.SAR.MEAS, issue 2 (measurement procedures) and RSS‑102.SAR.SIM, issue 1 (simulation procedures).
  • These set out how to measure and simulate SAR for equipment operating in the 100 kHz to 6 GHz band.
  • The documents are now available on ISED’s Spectrum management and telecommunications website. Comments can be sent via the Standard Change Request form. (ISED notice dated August 15, 2025.)

Who's affected#

• Companies that make, import, or use the specific chemicals listed by CAS number.
• Chemical suppliers and downstream users who handle or sell those substances. If you work with those exact CAS numbers, you are more likely to be affected; the notice does not say which products or industries use them.
• Laboratories and consultants who register, test, or assess chemicals for Canadian regulatory purposes.
• Manufacturers, test labs and consultants for wireless devices that must show compliance with SAR limits for devices operating from 100 kHz to 6 GHz.
• Regulators and legal teams who track changes to the Non‑domestic Substances List and to radio-equipment testing standards.

Why it matters#

• Changes to the Non‑domestic Substances List can change how the government tracks and assesses specific chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. That can affect reporting, assessment, and any future regulatory actions tied to those substances. The notice does not spell out further regulatory consequences.
• The new RSS‑102.SAR.MEAS and RSS‑102.SAR.SIM documents define the test and simulation methods used to show wireless products meet human exposure limits. Manufacturers and test labs will use these procedures when proving devices comply with Canadian radio rules.
• For both items, businesses that work with the exact substances or make wireless equipment should review the changes to see if they need to update filings, tests, or compliance paperwork.