Export controls of substances
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Overview of export controls
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) provides the Government of Canada with legislative tools to control the export of certain chemicals, including some pesticides, to other countries. Reports of exports notified under this regime are published annually.
Export Control List
The Export Control List is a list of substances included in Schedule 3 of CEPA. It contains substances whose use in Canada is prohibited or restricted, as well as substances subject to certain international agreements. The List is amended from time to time by ministerial order signed by the Ministers of the Environment and Health. Orders amending this list are published in the Canada Gazette.
Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations
The Export of Substances on the Export Control List Regulations apply to the export of substances on the Export Control List and to the export of products containing these substances. The purpose of the Regulations is to prohibit or control the export of these substances, allowing Canada to meet its export obligations under international agreements.
The Regulations also describe how to notify the Minister of the Environment of proposed exports and establish the requirements for obtaining an export permit.
Notice of proposed export
You must submit a notice of proposed export for all exports of substances or products containing one or more of the substances on the Export Control List. A form is available online:
Export permit application
For certain exports, you must submit a permit application and comply with additional requirements regarding record keeping, liability insurance, labeling, and the inclusion of safety data sheets. Forms are available online:
More information on the Regulations is available in the Guidance Document for Exporters.
International agreements
Export controls on substances under CEPA allow Canada to implement and comply with its export obligations under international agreements aimed at ensuring the sound management of chemicals.
Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade aims to provide an early warning to countries on a broad range of hazardous chemicals in international trade that have been banned or severely restricted in other countries to protect human health or the environment.
Stockholm Convention
The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants aims to reduce levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) entering the environment over time; by eliminating or restricting releases of POP industrial chemicals and pesticides, unintentionally produced POP by-products and stockpiles and POP wastes.
Minamata Convention
The Minamata Convention on Mercury aims to protect human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds by addressing all aspects of the mercury lifecycle.
Related links
Other laws and regulations may also apply to substances on the Export Control List, such as:
Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012
Products Containing Mercury Regulations
PCB Regulations
Tributyltetradecylphosphonium Chloride (TTPC) Regulations
Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations
Pest Control Products Act
Contact us
Email: sec-ecs@ec.gc.ca
Disclaimer
This information has been prepared for convenience of reference only and is not to be understood as a legal document. For interpreting and applying the Act or the Regulations, please read the Act or the Regulations.
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