Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 26: GOVERNMENT NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Summary
This Canada Gazette issue contains two main Environment Department items. First, a final ministerial condition lets the company that notified the government on Jan. 19, 2026 make or import the chemical castor oil, monomaleate only for certain personal‑care products at 2.5% weight or less and subject to record‑keeping and transfer rules (effective June 10, 2026). Second, the government is asking for public comment (June 27–Aug. 27, 2026) on a proposal to require advance notification for new uses or imports of four related chemicals (TEA, DEA, LDE, CDE) when they are used above set concentration or yearly import thresholds in selected consumer products.
What it does
Ministerial condition (final): Allows a specific notifier to manufacture or import castor oil, monomaleate but only to make liquid body wash, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, liquid hand soap or toothpaste where the chemical is at 2.5% weight or less. The notifier must tell and get written agreement from any buyer (unless the chemical is already in a finished product) that the material won’t be used in other products. It must also keep records of uses, concentrations, quantities and transfers for at least five years. Notice of intent (proposal and consultation): Proposes to amend the list of substances so that anyone proposing certain new activities with four chemicals (TEA, DEA, LDE, CDE) would have to submit a Significant New Activity Notification at least 90 days before starting. The proposal targets specific product types and sets concentration and annual import quantity triggers (for example: TEA in air fresheners over 4% or >10 kg imported per year; DEA in cleaning sprays at or above 3%; LDE in leave‑on cosmetics above 2.5%; and CDE above set thresholds for cleaners or certain cosmetics). Some uses — like research only, site‑limited intermediates, or export‑only products — would be exempt.
Who it affects
For the ministerial condition: the notifier (the company that provided information to the government on Jan. 19, 2026), plus any firms that buy, use, import, manufacture or supply castor oil, monomaleate for the listed personal‑care products. For the notice of intent: manufacturers, formulators, importers and distributors of air fresheners, cleaning sprays, toiletries, shampoos, leave‑on cosmetics and some other consumer products, and their compliance officers. Consumers could be indirectly affected if product formulations change. It is unclear from the notice which specific companies will be most affected beyond general product sectors.
Why it matters
The ministerial condition limits how one chemical can be used and makes its supply chain traceable through written agreements and records. That reduces chances the chemical will start being used in other, higher‑exposure products without oversight. The proposed DSL change would give regulators advance notice when industry plans to start new or expanded uses of the four named chemicals above certain thresholds. That allows health and environment assessments before those uses begin, which can slow or change product reformulations and gives the public an opportunity to comment.
Key dates
- Published
- June 27, 2026
- Comment deadline
- August 27, 2026
- Effective date
- June 10, 2026
Source: Canada Gazette