The Watch List
A list of substances suspected to be capable of becoming toxic or that have been determined to be capable of becoming toxic
Introduction
On June 13, 2023, the Strengthening the Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act (S.C. 2023, ch.12), amending the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and other federal legislation, came into force. CEPA now requires that the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada publish and maintain a list of substances suspected to be capable of becoming toxic or that have been determined to be capable of becoming toxic. This list is also referred to as the “Watch List”.
The Watch List is a communication product to share information about substances where there are reasons to suspect they are capable of becoming toxic or have been determined to be capable of becoming toxic and makes this information available in one place, providing links to where more detailed information is available. It is not a regulatory or a legislative instrument and does not impose new or additional requirements or restrictions on a substance. The Watch List does not replace existing tools and resources, and will not supersede or modify any Act, regulation or legal obligation.
Watch List*
* Substances will be added to this page following the publication of the Ministerial statement under s.77(6) of CEPA proposing to add a substance to the Watch List.
Related resources
- The Watch List Approach provides further information on the processes and mechanisms for administration of the Watch List
- Overview: substances of potential concern – the Watch List provides a summary of the Watch List and links to additional information
- Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act provides a summary of amendments to CEPA