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The Substance Groupings Initiative

Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.

The Government of Canada plans to assess and manage, where appropriate, the potential health and ecological risks associated with nine groups of substances. This initiative began with a Notice of intent for the aromatic azo- and benzidine-based substance group, published on June 5, 2010. On October 8, 2011 an Announcement that applies to this group and eight additional groups of substances was published in the  Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol 145, No. 41 - October 8, 2011 ( PDF Version - 3,812 K).

The initiative includes:

• Aromatic azo- and benzidine-based substances
• Boron-containing substances
• Certain internationally classified substances with potential for exposure to individuals in Canada
• Certain organic flame retardants
• Cobalt-containing substances
• Methylenediphenyl Diisocyanates and Diamines (MDI/MDA)
• Phthalates
• Selenium-containing substances
• Substituted diphenylamines

Stakeholders are invited to indicate their interest in being engaged in discussions on one or more of these groups by completing a  Stakeholder Identification Form. If you have other questions or comments, please contact us. Indicate on the envelope or subject line "Substance Groupings Initiative Inquiry".

These substance groups have been selected for further action based on the categorization exercise completed in 2006 and new information received as part of the first phase of the Chemicals Management Plan. The groups were identified based on structural or functional similarities and were assembled based on considerations related to assessment efficiencies, management efficiencies, the ability to support informed substitution decisions, timing of international actions and stakeholder engagement.

Timelines

Timelines are being tailored to the needs of individual groups, allowing for consideration of stakeholder engagement as well as risk assessment and risk management requirements. The proposed timeframes of key phases for each group and the launch month of the initial section 71 survey are provided in the tables below. A more detailed work plan of subgroups and publication dates will be posted up to 60 days following the completion of a section 71 survey.