Restrictions on glycolipids in consumer products

Summary#

The federal government has issued Significant New Activity Notice No. 22299 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 for the substance glycolipids, rhamnose-contg., Pseudomonas putida-fermented, from D-glucose, sodium salts (CAS 2892303-59-0). The notice, published January 31, 2026, is in force and requires companies to notify the government before starting certain new uses of the substance.

What it does#

This notice, issued under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, does the following for the named substance:

• Defines certain new uses as "significant new activities" when the substance is present at a concentration greater than 2% by weight in products such as:
  • a cosmetic (other than oral cosmetics),
  • a liquid laundry soap or liquid laundry detergent that is a consumer product, and
  • a hand dish soap or hand dish detergent.
• Treats the distribution for sale of products listed above containing the substance at > 2% by weight as a significant new activity.
• Exempts certain uses from the notice:
  • use as a research and development substance or as a site-limited intermediate (as defined in the New Substances Notification Regulations), and
  • manufacture of products that are for export only.
• Requires that anyone planning a significant new activity submit detailed information to the Minister of the Environment at least 90 days before starting, including:
  • a description of the planned use and the expected annual quantity,
  • the function of the substance in the product,
  • data to assess eye irritation for concentrations between greater than 2% by weight and less than 9% by weight,
  • summaries of other toxicity and exposure data the notifier has access to,
  • contact information and a signed certification of completeness.
• States that studies submitted must follow current OECD Good Laboratory Practice principles.
• Commits the government to assess the information within 90 days of receiving a complete submission.
• Includes a transitional rule: between publication and January 31, 2027, the notice only applies if the planned use or distribution involves more than 100 kg of the substance in the listed product types.
• Says that people who receive physical control of the substance do not always have to be re-notified if the substance is already contained in a consumer product or cosmetic at the time of transfer.

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and formulators who might use glycolipids, rhamnose-contg., Pseudomonas putida-fermented, from D-glucose, sodium salts (CAS 2892303-59-0) in:
  • non-oral cosmetics,
  • liquid laundry soaps/detergents sold as consumer products,
  • hand dish soaps/detergents.
• Importers, distributors and retailers who sell those products in Canada, especially if the product contains the substance at more than 2% by weight.
• Companies planning to scale up production or start new uses that would exceed 100 kg before January 31, 2027.
• Not affected (under the notice): users limited to research and development, site-limited intermediates, or products made only for export. If it is unclear whether a specific use fits one of these categories, the notice’s rules would apply unless clarified.

Why it matters#

• The government wants advance notice to check whether these new product uses could pose risks to human health or the environment. That means companies may need to delay launches or gather tests before they start certain uses.
• The notice sets clear concentration (2% by weight, and testing between > 2% and < 9%) and quantity (100 kg during the transition) thresholds that determine when notifications are required. Those numbers are what businesses will watch for when deciding formulations and imports.
• For consumers, the rule aims to make sure potentially risky new uses are reviewed before products reach the market. For makers and sellers, it creates new paperwork and testing obligations for some product lines.