New Polymer Allowed Under Conditions

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published three government notices on July 29, 2023. One lets a company make or import a specific new chemical under conditions set out by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Ministerial Condition No. 21551). Environment officials also released an updated guidance document that merges two monitoring protocols for smokestack emissions, and the Privy Council Office listed many open federal appointment opportunities.

What it does#

• Ministerial Condition No. 21551 (chemical)

  • Allows the notifier to manufacture or import the named new substance, but only under strict conditions.
  • Requires the notifier to tell the government at least 120 days before starting manufacture in Canada and to provide details such as the facility address, manufacturing process, and safety/containment steps.
  • Requires immediate action and reporting if the substance is released to the environment, and that the notifier inform an enforcement officer as soon as possible.
  • Requires the notifier to inform anyone they transfer the substance to about these conditions and to get written confirmation that the recipient was told.
  • Requires keeping records (use, quantities, transfers, recipient names/addresses and confirmations) for at least five years and to keep records up to date.
  • The conditions came into force on July 18, 2023.

• Updated emission monitoring guidance

  • Environment and Climate Change Canada published a merged and updated guidance document (combining the old PG/7 and PG/8 protocols). The updated document was made available on July 13, 2023.
  • The merged guidance brings together rules for monitoring SO2, NOx, and CO2, and adds the option to use O2 monitoring as a proxy for CO2 in some fuels.
  • The guidance’s scope was expanded from just thermal power plants to other stationary combustion sources.
  • The current PG/7 and PG/8 remain in force until the new guidance is formally incorporated into regulations.

• Appointments notice

  • The Privy Council Office invited applications for many Governor in Council appointments. Each posting is open for a minimum of two weeks from when it appears on the appointments website.

Who's affected#

• For the chemical condition:

  • The original notifier (the company that gave information to the government) and any company that wants to manufacture or import this specific substance in Canada.
  • Operators of the Canadian facility where the substance would be made.
  • Anyone who receives the substance from the notifier (they must be told about the conditions and confirm in writing).
  • Local communities and regulators who would be involved if there were a release.

• For the emission monitoring guidance:

  • Power plants and other facilities that burn fuel and use Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS).
  • Consultants and labs that install, operate, or audit CEMS for SO2, NOx, and CO2 (and O2 when used as a proxy).
  • Programs that require emissions reporting, such as the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

• For appointments:

  • Canadians interested in Governor in Council roles and organizations whose leadership positions are listed.

Why it matters#

• The ministerial conditions show the government is allowing a new chemical into commerce but wants clear reporting, controls, and record-keeping to reduce environmental or health risks. That affects manufacturers, downstream users, and nearby communities who want assurance about safety and tracking.
• The merged CEMS guidance can simplify and standardize how emissions are monitored across industries. That may reduce compliance burden for companies but could mean changes to monitoring equipment or methods for some facilities. It also signals future regulatory updates to expect.
• The appointments posting is a routine transparency step, but it’s a practical chance for Canadians to apply for public leadership roles.