Draft rare earth guidelines; Ketones assessment

Summary#

• The Department of the Environment published two notices on May 16, 2026: a draft set of Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for rare earth elements and the results of a health and environmental assessment of the Ketones Group of chemicals.
• The ketones assessment concludes that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) meet the health-danger test in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the ministers are proposing follow-up measures and public consultation.

What it does#

• Makes a draft of the Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines for rare earth elements available online and starts a public consultation. The government offered to consult provinces, territories and Indigenous representatives about the guidelines.
• Publishes the assessment of 10 ketone substances (the Ketones Group) and a risk-management document. Key findings and proposed actions:
  • Concludes that methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) meet one or more criteria in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and proposes:
    • Recommending these two substances be added to Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act.
    • Developing regulations or other instruments to restrict some uses in consumer products (a risk management approach document is released to guide discussion).
  • Proposes adding 2,4-Pentanedione (2,4-PD) to the list of substances “capable of becoming toxic” (so it can be tracked and reassessed if commercial use increases).
  • Finds the other seven substances in the group do not currently meet the Act’s criteria and proposes no further action at this time.
• Opens public comment periods for these documents for 60 days (see Who’s affected and Why it matters for dates).

Who's affected#

• For the rare earth element guidelines:
  • Mining and processing companies that handle rare earth elements, manufacturers that use them, provincial/territorial environmental regulators, and nearby communities.
  • Representatives of Indigenous governments who were offered consultation.
• For the Ketones Group assessment and proposed measures:
  • Manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers of products that contain MEK and MIBK — commonly found in paints, coatings, adhesives, paint removers/strippers, degreasers and certain spray products.
  • Workers in industries that use these ketones and consumers who use solvent-heavy consumer products.
  • Businesses that make or sell the other ketones in the group may note the assessment but were not targeted for further action at this time.
• Anyone can comment during the public consultation. The formal comment window runs from May 16, 2026 to July 15, 2026 for these Environment notices.

Why it matters#

• The rare earth guidelines can influence how governments and companies monitor and limit environmental releases of rare earth elements as mining and high-tech manufacturing grow. That can affect local air, water and soil testing and future limits on pollution.
• The ketones assessment flags common solvents—MEK and MIBK—as raising concerns for human health in some uses. If added to Part 2 of Schedule 1, regulatory controls could follow. That may lead to restrictions or changes in products like paint removers, spray paints and other consumer or industrial solvents, and could affect product formulation, labelling, workplace controls, and availability.
• The proposed tracking of 2,4-PD means the government will watch for new or growing uses that could raise future risks.
• These are consultation-stage actions: the documents are open for comment now and further regulatory steps would come later if the government proceeds.