Canada DSL and NDSL

Canada Domestic Substances List (DSL) is an inventory of approximately 23 000 substances manufactured in, imported into or used in Canada. Substances on DSL do not require new substance notification unless they are subject to a "significant new activity" regulation.

Non-domestic Substance List (NDSL) contains substances that are not on the DSL but are listed on TSCA inventory in the United States. There are more than 58 000 entries in NDSL. Substances that are not on the DSL but are listed on the NDSL are subject to new substance notification with reduced requirements.

Like TSCA inventory, both DSL and NDSL have two parts: public and confidential portion. The public portion of DSL and NDSL can be searched via the link below. Please be noted that this engine does not work well with substance names.

• Search Canada DSL/NDSL

To search the confidential section of DSL/NDSL, you may submit a Notice of Bona Fide Intent to Manufacture or Import to Environment Canada.

How to Comply with DSL/NDSL Requirements?

Before you export any substance (on its own or in a mixture) to Canada, it is crucial that you determine whether the substance to be exported to Canada is listed on the DSL or on the Non-domestic Substances List (NDSL). Substances that are not listed on DSL will be regarded as new substances and need to be notified. Please be noted that small volume of new substances are exempt from new substance notification in Canada unless their quantities have reached volume trigger.

• Canada New Substance Notification Exemption and Requirements

Significant New Activity

Significant new activities can apply to existing substances on the Domestic Substances List or to new substances. A significant new activity is an alternative use of a substance or other activity that results or may result in:

• a significantly greater quantity or concentration of the substance in the environment; or
• a significantly different manner or circumstances of exposure to the substance.

If there is a suspicion that a significant new activity may result in the substance becoming toxic, the substance can be subject to a Significant New Activity Notice. The Notice communicates the criteria under which the government must be re-notified. The government assesses the new information on the substance to determine if it is toxic in relation to the significant new activity.

View the List of Substances Subject to Significant New Activity Notice

Source http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Canada/Canada_DSL_Domestic_Substance_List_NDSL.html

Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) and New Substance Notification in Canada

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999) is the most important chemical control law in Canada. It is a broad act covering a number of subjects, i.e., chemicals, living organisms, marine environment, vehicles, and hazardous wastes. In this article, we will only talk about how it manages new chemical substances and existing chemicals in Canada.

New Substances Management

Substances that are not on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) are considered to be new chemical substances in Canada. Any company or individual who plans to import or manufacture a new substance must provide Environment Canada with a New Substances Notification (NSN) dossier to import or manufacture. Substances that are not on the DSL but are listed on the Non-Domestic Substance List (NDSL) are subject to new substance notification with reduced requirements.

The type of information required and the timing of the notification will depend on such factors as the type of substance (chemical substance, polymer or bio-chemical), the quantity of the substance, the intended use of the substance and the circumstances associated with its introduction.

The risks of substances determined to be or suspected of being toxic or capable of becoming toxic may be managed, as necessary, through conditions or prohibitions imposed on their import or manufacture.

New Substance Notification Exemptions and Requirements

Articles, impurities, by-products, naturally occurring substances and chemical substances regulated by other Canadian laws are exempt from the new substance notification requirements. For a mixture, the notification requirement only applies to individual substances in it.

New substances in small volumes do not require notification unless they reach the volume triggers specified by the CEPA. Compared to regular new substances, new substances on the DSL and polymers are subject to reduced information requirements. The review time needed is also shorter.

The picture below shows the volume trigger for different types of new substances and required information:

Detailed information required for each notification schedule can be found here.

Existing Substances Management

CEPA 1999 includes specific requirements for the assessment and management of substances currently existing in commerce or being released to the environment in Canada. The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health jointly assess existing substances. The picture bellow shows how it works (source: Environment Canada).

The risks of priority existing substances are controlled by various regulatory lists:

• Significant New Activity;
• Priority Substances List;
• Toxic Substances List;
• Virtual Elimination List;
• Export Control List;

- See more at: http://www.chemsafetypro.com/Topics/Canada/Canada_Environmental_Protection_Act_New_Chemical_Notification.html