Toxic substances list: 2-butoxyethanol

2-Butoxyethanol is not currently produced in Canada. It is imported for use mainly as a component of formulations, as part of consumer products or manufactured articles, and as a chemical processing aid. Based on the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), most reported environmental releases are to the atmosphere, with some minor releases to water.

CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) registry number: 111-76-2

For more information on this substance, please see the 2-butoxyethanol factsheet.

Risk assessment

• Priority Substances List Assessment Report
• Order Adding Toxic Substances to Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• CEPA 1999 Schedule 1 - List of Toxic Substances - This substance has been added to the List of Toxic Substances. It is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:
  c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
• Full life cycle management of the substance (Track 2) under the Toxic Substances Management Policy

Source(s)

This substance is entering the environment from the following source(s):

• Industrial, Commercial and Consumer Products

Risk Management Strategy

Click on the following link to view strategies and actions recommended to manage risks associated with the substance:

• Risk Management Strategy for 2-Butoxyethanol

Risk management tool(s)

Tool(s) developed to manage risks associated with the substance:

• 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations
• Environmental Performance Agreement - Canadian Paint and Coatings Association
• Reference method for the analysis of 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) and other glycol ethers (GEs) in selected products (automotive and household cleaners, paints, paint strippers and solvents)

Consultation

Consultation (past) on the substance:

• Response to Comments on the Proposed 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations

Performance evaluation

Environment and Climate Change Canada has evaluated the performance of the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations (the Regulations) to determine if they are effective in protecting human health from products containing 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE). A summary of the study commissioned in 2020 to help with this evaluation can be found below:

• Evaluating the Performance of the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations: Summary Report and Key Results

Other information

• National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) - Information Centre
• North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation Web Site

Contact

Products Division
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 St-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Email: Produits-Products@ec.gc.ca
Phone: 1-888-391-3426