New chemical conditions and pig consultation

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice records several Environment decisions under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. It adds or updates three ministerial conditions that control the manufacture, import, use and disposal of three specific chemicals, and it opens a public consultation on four lines of gene-edited pigs. The consultation runs June 20, 2025 to July 20, 2025.

What it does#

• Varies Ministerial Condition No. 21194 (now Ministerial Condition No. 21194a) for the substance carbopolycycle, acid-treated, oxidized (Confidential Accession Number 19612-0):

  • Allows the notifier to make or import the substance only as a precursor to a silver-doped version, with limited transfers allowed for specific uses.
  • Permits transfers for use as an additive in concrete/cement composites at up to 1% by weight, as a fuel additive, and in anti‑corrosion or icephobic coatings when applied industrially or, for consumer products, when they do not create inhalable particles.
  • Requires no intentional release to the environment; waste must be incinerated under applicable law or disposed in an engineered hazardous waste landfill.
  • Requires written notices to downstream users and keeping records for at least 5 years.
  • Comes into force May 20, 2025.

• Introduces Ministerial Condition No. 22068 for 2H‑isoindole‑2‑hexaneperoxoic acid, 1,3‑dihydro‑1,3‑dioxo‑ (CAS 128275‑31‑0):

  • Permits manufacture or import by the notifier but bars use in most cosmetics and in diapers or sanitary napkins.
  • Allows limited cosmetic uses only at specified maximum concentrations: toothpaste or tooth powder at up to 0.11% by weight, mouthwash at up to 0.27% by weight, and tooth whitening products at up to 1.2% by weight.
  • Requires notifying downstream recipients in writing and keeping records for at least 5 years.
  • Comes into force May 23, 2025.

• Introduces Ministerial Condition No. 22160 for 1,3,5‑triazine‑2,4,6‑trione, 1‑methyl‑3‑[...] (CAS 69004‑04‑2):

  • Permits manufacture or import but requires the notifier to inform the Minister at least 120 days before starting manufacturing in Canada.
  • The notifier must provide detailed information about expected annual volumes, facility location, transportation and storage, likely releases (including to wastewater), manufacturing process details, disposal methods, and existing hazard data.
  • Requires immediate action and notification if any release to the environment occurs, and written notices and record-keeping similar to the other conditions.
  • Comes into force March 26, 2025.

• Opens a public consultation on four lines of gene‑edited pigs described as resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS):

  • The pigs were notified by Genus PLC on April 22, 2025.
  • Comments are invited from June 20, 2025 to July 20, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Chemical companies that manufacture or import the named substances (the “notifiers”) and any downstream businesses they supply.
• Manufacturers using the substances as additives: concrete and cement composite makers, fuel additive producers, anti‑corrosion and icephobic coating manufacturers.
• Producers and importers of dental products (toothpaste, tooth powder, mouthwash, tooth whitening products) because of the concentration limits.
• Manufacturers of diapers and sanitary napkins (the substance in Ministerial Condition No. 22068 may not be used in these products).
• Waste managers, incinerators and engineered hazardous waste landfills that may receive disposal material.
• Genus PLC, pig breeders, livestock researchers, pork producers and communities near facilities where gene‑edited pigs might be introduced.
• Members of the public and any interested group who may want to comment on the gene‑edited pigs during the June 20, 2025–July 20, 2025 consultation window.

Why it matters#

• These actions show regulators are allowing limited manufacture and import of certain chemicals while setting rules to reduce the chance of environmental release and human exposure.
• Limits on concentrations in dental products and bans for diapers aim to control consumer exposure to the chemical in question.
• Disposal and record-keeping rules create a paper trail and require safer handling, which helps enforcement and future tracking if problems emerge.
• The 120‑day advance notice requirement for one substance gives regulators time to review plans before new large‑scale manufacturing starts in Canada.
• The gene‑edited pig consultation is a chance for the public, scientists and stakeholders to raise concerns or provide information before regulators finish their assessment.