Phenol, methylstyrenated manufacture conditions

Summary#

This Canada Gazette issue collects several government notices from the Department of the Environment and other agencies. Key items include a set of conditions allowing limited manufacture or import of the substance phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS RN 68512-30-1), changes to reporting rules for the Federal Plastics Registry, a concluded administrative agreement with Saskatchewan on wastewater rules, new radio system guidance from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and open Governor in Council appointment opportunities.

What it does#

• Ministerial conditions for a chemical:
  • Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the government issued Ministerial Condition No. 22313 permitting a specific notifier to manufacture or import phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS RN 68512-30-1) but only under strict limits and controls.
  • Use is limited to the substance being a component in adhesives applied either in enclosed spray booths or for minor repairs in amounts not exceeding 10 kg of adhesive per day, per site.
  • The notifier must notify the minister 120 days before starting manufacturing in Canada and provide a list of information about quantities, facility location, transport, disposal plans, and manufacturing process details.
  • Disposal rules require thorough rinsing of containers and either incineration or burial in an engineered hazardous waste landfill. Records must be kept for 5 years.
  • These conditions came into force on February 19, 2026.
• Plastics reporting changes:
  • The notice amends the earlier reporting notice for the Federal Plastics Registry, delaying parts of the reporting schedule.
  • Producers of packaging, electronics and electrical equipment (Category 1), and single‑use/disposable products (Category 8) must continue to report for calendar years 2025 and 2026.
  • The Minister of the Environment also announced an intent to issue a new notice to collect data for 2027, 2028, and 2029, with stakeholder consultation to follow.
• Wastewater administrative agreement:
  • The government published that no public comments were received on the proposed administrative agreement between the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada about administering the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations.
  • The final agreement is available as of March 14, 2026.
• Radio technical guidance:
  • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada published SRSP-300-Gen (issue 2) and SRSP-301.7 (issue 5), updated technical requirements for fixed radio systems in certain frequency bands. They are now official and available online.
  • Comments can be submitted via the department’s standard change request process.
• Appointments:
  • The Privy Council Office listed multiple open Governor in Council appointment opportunities with closing dates in mid‑March 2026 (earliest March 13, 2026, latest March 19, 2026).

Who's affected#

• The company that filed the original notification (the “notifier”) and any businesses that would manufacture, import, or use phenol, methylstyrenated (CAS RN 68512-30-1), and their waste handlers.
• Producers of packaging, electronic and electrical equipment, and single‑use/disposable plastics that send products to the residential waste stream — they must report to the Federal Plastics Registry for 2025 and 2026.
• Provincial and municipal authorities, and wastewater system operators in Saskatchewan, because of the administrative agreement on effluent regulations.
• Telecommunications and fixed wireless operators who use spectrum above 960 MHz, and manufacturers of fixed radio equipment, because of the updated SRSP documents.
• Canadians interested in federal board and commission roles, and organizations looking to nominate candidates for Governor in Council positions.

Why it matters#

• The chemical conditions limit how a potentially risky substance can be used, moved, and disposed of. That lowers the chance of environmental releases and helps protect workers and nearby communities.
• Continued plastics reporting for 2025 and 2026 means more data for the government on plastic flow and waste. It also keeps a compliance requirement in place for affected producers.
• The Saskatchewan administrative agreement clarifies how federal wastewater rules will be administered there. That can affect local enforcement and who handles inspections or approvals.
• The updated radio standards affect how fixed wireless systems are built and operated. They can influence equipment choices and where services can be deployed.
• The open appointments affect who will lead or oversee many federal institutions. Those selections shape policy and governance across multiple sectors.