Solvent Violet 13 Proposed for Schedule 1

Summary#

The federal screening assessment looked at seven anthraquinone dyes used as colourants. It found that Solvent Violet 13 may pose a risk to human health and the ministers propose to recommend adding it to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The other six substances — Pigment Blue 60, Solvent Violet 59, Solvent Blue 36, Disperse Red 60, Acid Blue 239, and the substance with CAS RN 74499-36-8 — were not found to meet the same criteria and no further action is proposed at this time.

What it does#

• Concludes that Solvent Violet 13 meets one or more criteria in section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, meaning it may represent a danger to human health in Canada.
• The ministers have released a proposed risk-management approach for Solvent Violet 13 and propose to recommend adding it to Schedule 1 so that regulatory controls could be developed.
• Opens a public comment period of 60 days on that proposed risk-management approach (published with this notice on July 17, 2021).
• Finds that Pigment Blue 60, Solvent Violet 59, Solvent Blue 36, Disperse Red 60, Acid Blue 239, and the substance with CAS RN 74499-36-8 do not meet the criteria in section 64 and therefore the ministers propose to take no further action now.
• Notes common uses and reported 2011 import amounts (from industry survey):
  • Solvent Violet 13: 1,000 to 10,000 kg
  • Pigment Blue 60: 10,000 to 100,000 kg
  • Solvent Violet 59: 1,000 to 10,000 kg
  • Solvent Blue 36: less than 100 kg
  • Disperse Red 60 and Acid Blue 239: 100 to 1,000 kg each
  • Substance CAS 74499-36-8: 1,000 to 10,000 kg
• Identifies typical product uses that drive exposure: cosmetics (e.g. lipsticks, body creams, hair products, face paint), food packaging, craft products (stampers), toys, specialty lubricants, epoxy coatings and textiles.
• Summarizes health findings used in the assessment:
  • Pigment Blue 60 showed reproductive toxicity in lab tests.
  • Solvent Blue 36 was associated with developmental effects.
  • For several substances, health data were limited and a "read-across" from related chemicals informed the assessment.
• Says exposure to Solvent Violet 13 from some daily cosmetic uses (lip balm, lipstick, body cream, permanent hair dye, spray perfume, face paint) produced margins of exposure considered potentially inadequate for non-cancer and cancer effects. Other uses and the other six substances had margins considered adequate.

Who's affected#

• Consumers who use everyday products that include these colourants, especially cosmetic users of lip products, hair dyes, body creams, spray perfumes and face paints.
• Businesses that make or import those products: cosmetic manufacturers, toy and textile producers, craft-supply makers, suppliers of specialty lubricants and epoxy coatings, and chemical importers/traders.
• Regulators and public‑health groups tracking chemical risks.
• If you want to comment on the proposed risk-management approach for Solvent Violet 13, anyone may submit comments during the 60‑day period after publication.

Why it matters#

• If Solvent Violet 13 is added to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the government can develop and enforce controls. That could lead to limits or changes in how the dye is used in cosmetics and other consumer products.
• The assessment highlights specific consumer uses where exposure margins are uncertain. People who use affected cosmetics might want to know whether their products contain this dye and watch for future restrictions.
• The other six substances are currently judged low concern, but the government may track them if their use increases.
• The proposed risk-management approach is open for public comment for 60 days from the notice (published July 17, 2021), so stakeholders and members of the public can give input before any regulation is developed.