Cobalt-containing Substance Grouping

Certain cobalt-containing substances are among those identified as priorities for action for the second phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The selection of these cobalt-containing substances for action is based on the categorization process completed in 2006, and new information received as part of the first phase of the CMP. Cobalt-containing substances have been identified both domestically and internationally to be a priority for further assessment.

Adding substances to Schedule 1

Cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds have been added to Schedule 1.

Summary of publications

The current screening assessment focuses on the cobalt moiety and thereby includes cobalt in its elemental form, cobalt-containing substances and cobalt released in dissolved, solid or particulate form. As such, it is not limited to consideration of the 50 substances having met the categorization criteria.

Cobalt and cobalt-containing substances
CAS RN Chemical substance Final order and RIAS Public comments on the draft screening assessment and risk management scope Final screening assessment Proposed risk management approach
513-79-1 Carbonic acid, cobalt(2+) salt (1:1) HTML HTML HTML HTML
1307-86-4 Cobalt hydroxide
1307-96-6 Cobalt oxide
1317-42-6 Cobalt sulfide
7440-48-4Table 1 footnote 1 Cobalt
7542-09-8 Carbonic acid, cobalt salt
7646-79-9Table 1 footnote 1 Cobalt chloride
10124-43-3Table 1 footnote 1 Sulfuric acid, cobalt(2+) salt (1:1)
10141-05-6 Nitric acid, cobalt(2+) salt
10393-49-4Table 1 footnote 1 Cobalt sulfate
10534-89-1 Cobalt(3+), hexaammine-, trichloride, (OC-6-11)-
12602-23-2 Cobalt, bis[carbonato(2-)]hexahydroxypenta-
13455-25-9 Chromic acid (H2CrO4), cobalt(2+) salt (1:1)
13455-36-2 Phosphoric acid, cobalt(2+) salt (2:3)
13782-01-9 Cobaltate(3-), hexakis(nitrito-N)-, tripotassium, (OC-6-11)-
21041-93-0 Cobalt hydroxide
71-48-7 Acetic acid, cobalt(2+) salt
136-52-7 Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, cobalt(2+) salt
1560-69-6 Propanoic acid, cobalt(2+) salt
6700-85-2 Octanoic acid, cobalt salt
13586-82-8 Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, cobalt salt
13586-84-0 Octadecanoic acid, cobalt salt
27253-31-2 Neodecanoic acid, cobalt salt
27685-51-4 Cobaltate(2-), tetrakis(thiocyanato-N)-, mercury(2+) (1:1), (T-4)-
38582-17-1 Cyclohexanebutanoic acid, cobalt(2+) salt
94246-88-5 Cobalt, (2-ethylhexanoato-O)(isooctanoato-O)-
10210-68-1 Cobalt, di-µ-carbonylhexacarbonyldi-, (Co-Co)
8011-87-8 C.I. Pigment Green 19
65997-18-4 Frits, chemicals
67711-89-1 Calcines, copper roasting
68186-89-0 C.I. Pigment Black 25
68187-11-1 C.I. Pigment Blue 36
68608-93-5 C.I. Pigment Violet 48
68610-13-9 C.I. Pigment Violet 47
69012-71-1 Leach residues, zinc ore-calcine, cobalt repulp
69012-72-2 Leach residues, zinc ore-calcine, zinc cobalt
72869-37-5 Zinc sulfide (ZnS), cobalt and copper-doped
91053-46-2 Leach residues, zinc ore-calcine, cadmium-copper ppt.
121053-28-9 Electrolytes, cobalt-manufg.
121053-29-0 Slimes and Sludges, cobalt refining
121053-30-3 Slimes and Sludges, cobalt electrolytic
124222-14-6 Flue dust, cobalt-refining
124222-15-7 Residues, cobalt-refining
124222-18-0 Residues, precious metal-refining
129618-35-5 Electrolytes, copper-manufg.
129618-36-6 Solutions, copper hydrometallurgical
129618-39-9 Solutions, cobalt hydrometallurgical
61789-51-3 Naphthenic acids, cobalt salts
68457-13-6 Cobalt, borate neodecanoate complexes
68988-10-3 Zirconium, dipropylene glycol iso-Bu alc. neodecanoate propionate cobalt complexes
Table 1 Footnote 1

These 4 substances were previously assessed under Batch 10 of the Challenge and were found not to be harmful to the environment or to human health when considered as individual substances. These 4 substances were included in this assessment to consider exposure to cobalt from multiple cobalt-containing substances.

Return to first Table 1 footnote 1 referrer

Timelines
Date Activity
June 26, 2019 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part II of final order adding cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).
August 23, 2017 Deadline for submission of public comments on the proposed order adding cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds to Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999.
July 26, 2017 Deadline for submission of public comments on the Proposed Risk Management Approach for Cobalt and Soluble Cobalt Compounds.
June 24, 2017 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I of proposed order adding cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds to Schedule 1 of CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
May 27, 2017 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I of the final screening assessment decisions under subsection 77(6) of CEPA 1999, release of Government's Proposed Risk Management Approach for Cobalt and Soluble Cobalt Compounds and start of 60-day public comment period on the proposed risk management approach.
February 4, 2015 Deadline for submission of public comments on the draft screening assessment and the risk management scope.
December 6, 2014 Publication in Canada Gazette, Part I and start of 60-day public comment period on (a) the draft screening assessment and (b) the Risk Management Scope for Cobalt and Cobalt-containing Substances.
December 3, 2012 Deadline for submission of any voluntary information by interested stakeholders.
October 2, 2012 Deadline for submission of information for the cobalt section 71 notice (without an extension).
June 2, 2012 Release of the section 71 notice with respect to certain cobalt-containing substances and the accompanying technical documents.
March 30, 2010 Deadline for submission of information for the section 71 notice for Phase 1 of the Domestic Substances List (DSL) inventory update (without an extension).
December 17, 2009 Deadline for submission of additional information by interested stakeholders, including on the extent and nature of the management/stewardship of Batch 10 substances.
October 20, 2009 Deadline for submission of information under the section 71 notice on Batch 10 substances (if no extension granted).
October 3, 2009 Release of the section 71 notice for Phase 1 of the DSL inventory update.
June 20, 2009 Release of Batch 10 of the Challenge and associated section 71 survey.
If needed, information gathering tools could be used to inform potential risk management actions.

Final screening assessment and proposed risk management approach

In May 2017, the Final Screening Assessment for Cobalt and Cobalt-containing Substances was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol.151, No. 21 - May 27, 2017.

The final screening assessment concludes that cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds are harmful to the environment and meet the criteria under paragraph 64(a) of CEPA 1999. It is proposed that cobalt and soluble cobalt compounds be recommended for addition to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to CEPA 1999 based on environmental concerns. It is also proposed that cobalt and cobalt from cobalt-containing substances are not harmful to human health. A Proposed Risk Management Approach for Cobalt and Soluble Cobalt Compounds was also released on this date for a 60-day public comment period.

The screening assessment focuses on exposure to cobalt from all sources, and thereby considers cobalt in its elemental form, cobalt-containing substances and cobalt released in dissolved, solid or particulate form. All substances that have the potential to dissolve, dissociate and/or degrade to release cobalt through various transformation pathways can potentially contribute to the exposure of humans and other living organisms to bioavailable forms of cobalt. Four substances that were assessed individually in Batch 10 of the Challenge Initiative of the CMP are included in this assessment given they contribute to exposure to the cobalt moiety.

In December 2014, the draft screening assessment was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No.49 - December 6, 2014. A Risk Management Scope for Cobalt and its Compounds was also released in conjunction with these publications. There was a 60-day public comment period associated with each of these publications.

Information gathering

Information on cobalt and cobalt-containing substances was gathered from industry and interested stakeholders through three mandatory survey notices issued under section 71 of CEPA 1999. These surveys originated from the Challenge Initiative, Phase 1 of the Domestic Substances List inventory update, and the Substance Grouping Initiative. Stakeholders were also invited to complete a voluntary questionnaire.

Mandatory survey - section 71 notice

In June 2012, a notice was issued in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol.146, No.22 - June 2, 2012 under section 71 of CEPA 1999. This notice applies to a subset of substances which are part of the Cobalt-containing Substance Grouping.

A compilation of the non-confidential data received on certain cobalt-containing substances in response to the section 71 notice, including information submitted on a voluntary basis, is available via the Government of Canada Open Data Portal. Along with the compilation, a non-confidential information summary provides general information on the volume of information received and the substances, activities, substance functions, commercial uses and sectors most often reported

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