Domestic Substances List Bacillus licheniformis/ subtilis group

What are they?

• The Domestic Substances List (DSL) Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group consists of eleven micro-organism strains:
  • Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 13563-0
  • Bacillus atrophaeus 18250-7
  • Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 12713
  • Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6051A
  • Bacillus subtilis ATCC 55405
  • Bacillus subtilis subspecies  subtilis ATCC  6051
  • Bacillus subtilis subspecies inaquosorum ATCC 55406
  • Bacillus species 16970-5
  • Bacillus species 2 18118-1
  • Bacillus species 4 181121-4
  • Bacillus species 7 18129-3
• These are bacteria that have a number of industrial uses.
• These strains have characteristics in common with other strains in the Bacillus subtilis species complex, which are found in nature.

How are they used?

• The strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group are currently used in Canada for a variety of applications, including consumer and commercial products for cleaning and deodorizing, drain cleaning and degreasing, RV/septic tank treatment, bioremediation and biodegradation, waste and wastewater treatment and water conditioning.

Why did the Government of Canada assess them?

• Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, these Priority A (higher hazard) and Priority B (medium hazard) micro-organisms on the DSL must undergo an assessment to determine whether they have the potential to cause harm to human health or the environment. This is done under the Chemicals Management Plan.

How are they released to the environment?

• The strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group may be released into the environment from their deliberate addition to consumer or commercial products or their use in industrial processes in Canada.

How are Canadians exposed to them?

• The general population of Canada may be exposed to the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group from the use of commercial or consumer products containing these strains, and to a lesser extent from environmental media.

What are the results of the assessment?

• The Government of Canada has conducted a science-based evaluation of the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group, called a screening assessment.
• Screening assessments address potential for harm to the general population of Canada and to the Canadian environment.
• Hazards related to micro-organisms used in the workplace should be classified accordingly under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
• The strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group are not considered to be harmful.
• The Government of Canada has therefore concluded that the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group are not entering the environment in a quantity or under conditions that constitute a danger to the environment and human health in Canada.
• Furthermore, foreseeable new activities involving the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group are not expected to cause harm.

What is the Government of Canada doing?

• The Government of Canada will take no further action on the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group.
• The Final Screening Assessment for the strains in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis group was published on August 1, 2015.

What can Canadians do?

• As a general precaution, Canadians are reminded when using any product to carefully follow any safety warnings and directions and to dispose of the products appropriately.