New SNAc Notices for Two Chemicals

Summary#

The government has issued two Significant New Activity (SNAc) notices under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 for two chemicals: one identified by Confidential Substance Identity Number 19814‑2 (an alkanedioic acid, di‑branched alkyl ester) and hexanedioic acid, 1,6‑diisotridecyl ester (CAS 26401‑35‑4). The notices, published May 2, 2026, require people who want to start certain new uses to give detailed information to the federal Environment Minister at least 90 days before beginning.

What it does#

• Identifies a “significant new activity” for each substance. For both substances, that means using the substance:
  • in the manufacture of a consumer product (except machine lubricants) in which it is present at 0.1% by weight or more, or
  • in the manufacture or distribution for sale of a cosmetic in which it is present at 0.1% by weight or more.
• Sets out information that must be sent to the Minister of the Environment at least 90 days before the new activity starts. Required information includes:
  • the planned use and annual quantity;
  • chemical name, CAS number if available (CAS 26401‑35‑4 is given for the second substance; the first is identified by CSIN 19814‑2);
  • trade names and safety data sheets, if available;
  • details about likely human exposure (concentration, duration, frequency, whether products are for children);
  • product descriptions and the substance’s role and concentration in them;
  • toxicity data, including reproductive/developmental studies following OECD test methods (e.g., Tests No. 421, 414, 416) and dermal penetration information;
  • any other relevant studies the notifier has access to and information on previous government assessments elsewhere.
• Requires that studies for reproductive/developmental toxicity and dermal penetration follow OECD principles of good laboratory practice.
• The Ministers (Environment and Health) will assess the submitted information within 90 days of receiving a complete submission.
• Lists exemptions from the SNAc requirement:
  • use as a research and development substance or site‑limited intermediate;
  • manufacture of products for export only;
  • uses already regulated under certain other federal acts (e.g., Pest Control Products Act) where applicable.
• Includes a transitional period (from publication until May 2, 2027) with quantity limits before the full SNAc rules apply:
  • for the CSIN 19814‑2 substance, the transitional limit is up to 100 kg (uses above that trigger the SNAc requirement during the transitional period);
  • for hexanedioic acid, 1,6‑diisotridecyl ester (CAS 26401‑35‑4), the transitional limit is up to 1 000 kg.

Who's affected#

• Companies that make or import the named chemicals, or that add them to consumer products or cosmetics at 0.1% by weight or more.
• Manufacturers, formulators, brand owners, distributors and retailers of cosmetics and many consumer products could be affected if their products include these substances at the stated level.
• Researchers and businesses using the substances only for research and development, as site‑limited intermediates, or making export‑only products are generally not covered.
• It is unclear from the notice how many existing products in Canada already contain these substances at or above the 0.1% threshold; businesses will need to check their formulations and supply chains.

Why it matters#

• The government put these notices in place because ministers suspect that new or expanded uses could create health or environmental risks. The notices give the government a chance to assess risk before large‑scale use in consumer goods or cosmetics.
• For industry, the notices mean possible delays and added paperwork before launching or selling products that use these chemicals above the threshold. Companies may need to gather or commission toxicity and exposure data.
• For consumers, the notices aim to limit unassessed increases in exposures to chemicals in everyday products. If a product contains one of these substances above 0.1% by weight, the manufacturer or importer now has to inform federal authorities before putting that new use in place.