Chlorinated alkanes

On this page

• Consultation document
• Information gathering
  • Section 71 Chemicals Management Plan 2023
• Regulations
  • Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations
• Human health assessment of long-chain chlorinated alkanes
• Adding substances to Schedule 1
• Background

Consultation document

In February 2025, Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada published a Consultation Document on the Risk Management on Short-chain, Medium-chain and Long-chain Chlorinated Alkanes. The objective of this consultation document is to:

1. inform stakeholders and solicit comments on the proposed regulatory approach to prohibit the manufacture, import, use and sale of medium-chain (MCCAs) and long-chain Chlorinated Alkanes (LCCAs) up to 20 carbon atoms, and products containing them, through their addition to the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012
2. solicit information regarding concentration thresholds for short-chain (SCCAs) and MCCAs; and
3. outline and solicit comments on the proposed regulatory approach to control the exports of SCCAs, MCCAs and LCCAs through their addition to the Export Control List (ECL) in Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)

Comments received will be considered in the development of proposed regulatory instruments.

Information gathering

Section 71 Chemicals Management Plan 2023

In June 2023, a notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 157, No. 25 – June 24, 2023 under section 71 of CEPA. This notice applies to CAS RNs 106232-85-3, 63449-39-8, and 85535-86-0. More information is available on the Information gathering with respect to certain substances under the Chemicals Management Plan web page.

Regulations

Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations

In May 2022, the proposed Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2022 were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 156, No. 20 - May 14, 2022 for a 75-day public comment period. The proposed regulations would strengthen existing controls on certain harmful substances, and put new prohibitions in place for 2 substances. The proposed regulations would also remove reporting requirements related to the manufacture or import of SCCAs, or the import of a product containing 1 of these substances.

In January 2013 the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 147, No. 1 – January 2, 2013. These regulations prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of certain toxic substances, including SCCAs, and products containing them, with a limited number of exemptions.

Human health assessment of long-chain chlorinated alkanes

In May 2012, the Update on the Human Health Assessment of Long-Chain Chlorinated Alkanes was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 146, No. 19 - May 12, 2012.

New information received after the publication of the 2008 final follow-up report on the assessment of chlorinated paraffins has led to a change in the conclusion previously published regarding chlorinated alkanes containing 18 carbon atoms or more.

The final update on the human health report concludes that chlorinated alkanes containing 18 or more carbon atoms are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that may constitute a danger to human life or health as defined in the paragraph 64(c) of CEPA.

Adding substances to Schedule 1

Chlorinated alkanes that have the molecular formula C_nH_xCl(2n+2–x) in which 10 ≤ n ≤ 20 have been added to Schedule 1 to CEPA.

Final order: Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 145, No. 21 – October 12, 2011.

Background

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) were included on the first Priority Substances List (PSL1) under the 1988 CEPA for assessment of potential risks to the environment and human health.

For more information, visit the Toxic substances list: Chlorinated alkanes web page.