Bacillus altitudinis strain MDG 10-15 N added

Summary#

Order 2024-112-06-01 Amending the Domestic Substances List adds the living organism Bacillus altitudinis strain MDG 10-15 N to the Domestic Substances List. The order came into force when it was registered on July 24, 2024, so this organism is no longer treated as “new” under Canada’s new-substance rules.

What it does#

• Adds Bacillus altitudinis strain MDG 10-15 N to Part 5 of the Domestic Substances List.
• Because the organism is now on the list, it is no longer subject to the New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms) that apply to substances new to Canada.
• The federal government describes this change as administrative: it removes the specific notification requirement but does not create new approvals, endorsements or exemptions from other laws.
• The decision was made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 after health and environment ministers reviewed information about the organism.

Who's affected#

• Companies or labs that manufacture, import or sell Bacillus altitudinis strain MDG 10-15 N in Canada.
• Biotech firms, research institutions, and suppliers that work with similar organisms and that would otherwise have faced notification steps when bringing a new organism into the country.
• Regulators and anyone tracking which organisms are listed on the Domestic Substances List.

If it’s unclear who is affected in a particular case (for example, if an organization uses a different strain name), they should check with the Department of the Environment.

Why it matters#

• For businesses and researchers, being on the Domestic Substances List usually means less paperwork up front. They won’t need to file a new-substance notification for this specific organism anymore, which can make import or commercial use easier and faster.
• It doesn’t mean the government is endorsing the organism or that other rules don’t apply. Other federal, provincial or local laws (for example, about releases to the environment, workplace safety or product approvals) still apply.
• The government says this is an administrative step after an assessment by the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health, and that it does not create new costs or regulatory burdens.