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The Substance Groupings Initiative

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Related Activities

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 Next link will take you to another Web site Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol 145, No. 41 - October 8, 2011 (Next link will take you to another Web site PDF Version - 3,812 K).

The initiative includes:

Stakeholders are invited to indicate their interest in being engaged in discussions on one or more of these groups by completing a Next link will take you to another Web site 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.

Timelines
Group Initial Section 71 Survey Launch
Aromatic azo and benzidine based substances December 2011
Substituted diphenylamines February 2012
Cobalt-containing substances February 2012
MDI/MDAs February 2012
Internationally Classified Substances February 2012
Selenium-containing substances December 2012
Certain organic flame retardants December 2012
Phthalates April 2013
Boron-containing substances April 2013