Internationally Classified Substance Grouping

Certain internationally classified substances were among those identified as priorities for action for the second phase of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The selection of these internationally classified substances for action was based on the categorization process completed in 2006, and new information received as part of the first phase of the CMP.

• Applying Significant New Activity provisions
• Summary of publications
• Timelines
• Final screening assessments and proposed risk management approach
• Draft screening assessments and risk management scope
• Information gathering
  • 2012 Mandatory survey – section 71 notice

Applying Significant New Activity provisions

View the Significant New Activity Publications under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

• Notice of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List (DSL) that applies to ethanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]- (AEEA): Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 154, No. 37 - September 12, 2020.

The notice of intent is being re-published to include cosmetics and a revised Significant New Activity (SNAc) definition based on information received after the publication of the original notice of intent on June 25, 2016.

For additional guidance on submitting information required as part of the SNAc notifications, please see the Guidelines for the Notification and Testing of New Substances: Chemicals and Polymers.

Summary of publications

Final screening assessments and proposed risk management approach

In May 2016, 3 final screening assessments which collectively assess 6 substances were released and the related notices were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 150, No. 22 – May 28, 2016.

The final screening assessments of AEEA and 4 cresols concluded that these 5 substances are not harmful to the environment or to human health and do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999. Therefore the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health proposed to take no further action on these substances at this time under the Act. No proposed risk management approaches were prepared for these substances.

The final screening assessment of AEEA concluded that a risk to human health has not been identified for the general population of Canada at current levels of exposure. However, AEEA is recognized to have effects of concern based on its potential developmental and reproductive toxicity. There may be a concern for human health if exposures to the general population of Canada to AEEA were to increase, for example, through an increased presence in products available to consumers. Options for monitoring changes in uses of AEEA have been considered and application of the SNAc provisions under subsection 81(3) of CEPA 1999 has been proposed. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the notice of intent to apply the SNAc provisions to AEEA.

The final screening assessment of ethyl carbamate concluded that this substance is harmful to human health and meets the criteria set out under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA 1999. Risks to human health will be managed under the Food and Drugs Act, therefore, no further action under CEPA 1999 is proposed. The Proposed Risk Management Approach for Ethyl Carbamate was also released on this date for a 60-day public comment period.

In May 2022, Health Canada's Food Directorate released an update on the risk management commitments for ethyl carbamate in foods, including alcoholic beverages. For the latest information, please visit the ethyl carbamate in food web page.

Draft screening assessments and risk management scope

In July 2014, 3 draft screening assessments, which collectively assess 6 substances, were released and the related notices were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 24 - July 19, 2014. The Risk Management Scope Document for Ethyl Carbamate was also released in conjunction with these publications. There was a 60-day public comment period associated with each of these publications.

Information gathering

2012 Mandatory survey - section 71 notice

In June 2012, a notice was issued in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol.146, No.24 - June 16, 2012 under section 71 of CEPA 1999. This notice applied to 8 substances; specifically, 1 substance (phenol, methyl-) which is part of the Internationally Classified Substance Grouping, and 7 substances which are part of the Methylenediphenyl Diisocyanate and Diamine (MDI/MDA) Substance Grouping. Given similar data needs among the 2 substance groupings, the data requests were combined in this notice.