Awareness and compliance on certain prohibited toxic chemicals and products containing such substances

Are your products compliant with Canadian requirements for toxic chemicals and products containing certain substances., such as the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (PCTSR).

While you may not be subject to these regulations, Environment and Climate Change Canada has developed a factsheet to provide assistance and guidance for complying with these regulations.

The PCTSR prohibits the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of certain toxic substances, and products containing them, with a limited number of exemptions. These substances are among the most harmful to the environment and/or human health. Although prohibited in Canada, some of these substances may still be legally manufactured or used in other countries and be integrated in products. Importers are not always aware if the products that they are importing are compliant with the PCTSR. Below you will find examples of imported products that may be more likely to contain a prohibited substance based on uses outside of Canada:

  • children’s toys and electrical cables with components that were made with short-chain chlorinated alkanes (also known as chlorinated paraffins)
  • carpets and fabrics that were treated with perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), its salts and precursors coatings to make them dirt, water or grease resistant
  • all-purpose cleaners that contain 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME)
  • coatings containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used in electronic equipment

Each person subject to the requirements will need to determine how the regulations may affect their activities and how to best ensure compliance with the regulations.

Exports of substances listed on the Export Control List, they are contained in a product, are controlled under the Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations (ESECLR). More information about the ESECLR is available at https://canada.ca/export-controlled-substance or you may contact [email protected].

Details for complying with the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Regulations and guidance including information for importers on the prohibited products can be found here.  

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions or comments

Luke Greco

Compliance Promotion Coordinator

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Email : [email protected]

or

Chemicals Management Division

Environment and Climate Change Canada

351 Saint-Joseph Blvd, 10th floor

Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Email: [email protected]

Environment and Climate Change Canada Inquiry Centre:

Telephone: 819-997-2800 or 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only)