Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and 2 derivative substances

• Information gathering
  • Section 71 Chemicals Management Plan 2023
• Final screening assessment
• Draft screening assessment and risk management scope
• Background

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 the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). This notice applies to CAS RNs 25327-89-3 and 4162-45-2. More information is available on the Information gathering with respect to certain substances under the Chemicals Management Plan web page.

Final screening assessment

In November 2013, the Final Screening Assessment on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and two of its derivative substances [TBBPA bis(2-hydroxyethyl ether) and TBBPA bis(allyl ether)] was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 48 - November 30, 2013.

Although the draft screening assessment proposed to conclude that TBBPA meets one of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA 1999, new evidence, in the form of exposure data, received during the comment period led to the re-evaluation of the risks and proposed conclusions previously published.

Therefore, the final screening assessment concluded that TBBPA and 2 of its derivative substances do not meet the criteria in section 64 of CEPA 1999.

Although there is currently limited exposure in Canada to TBBPA and its concentrations currently in the environment are not indicative of harm to organisms in Canada, there may be concerns if new activities were to occur, including increased volume of manufacture, import or use, which may result in increased exposure to organisms in Canada. Therefore, options on how best to monitor changes in the use of this substance will be investigated, such as addition of the substance to the National Pollutant Release Inventory and/or amending the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to indicate that the Significant New Activity provisions apply with respect to this substance, so that new activities pertaining to the use, manufacture, or import are notified and undergo ecological and human health risk assessment.

Draft screening assessment and risk management scope

In November 2012, the Draft Screening Assessment for Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and Two of its Derivative Substances [TBBPA bis(2-hydroxyethyl ether) and TBBPA bis(allyl ether)] was released and the related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 146, No. 45 - November 10, 2012 for a 60-day public comment period. A risk management scope on TBBPA was also released in conjunction with this publication.

The public comments received have been considered and addressed within the final screening assessment.  Responses to the comments received are summarized in the Summary of Public Comments Received on Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA, CAS 79-94-7), TBBPA bis(2-hydroxyethyl ether) (CAS 4162-45-2) and TBBPA bis(allyl ether) (CAS 25327-89-3), Draft Screening Assessment Report and proposed Risk Management Scope.

Background

Before the launch of the Chemicals Management Plan in 2006, a screening assessment was initiated to substances on the DSL, that were anticipated to meet the ecological or human health categorization criteria.

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