Canada’s Chemical Safety Plan: Prioritizing Nanomaterials and New Approach Methodologies

Canada’s Proposed Plan of Priorities, released by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada in October 2024, outlines the government’s strategy and priorities to protect human and environmental health over the next few years through chemical management. The Plan includes which substances are prioritized for safety assessment, activities to manage chemical risks, and the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to replace animal testing.

Key substances prioritized. Among the approximately 30 prioritized substances/substance groups are certain nanoscale metals, nanoscale metal oxides, and fluoropolymers (a broad group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]). These substances are mainly prioritized due to safety concerns amplified by their high annual import volumes into Canada.

Activities to manage chemical risk include:

·         Developing regulations for substances of highest risk

·         Developing a new permit for toxic substances under certain conditions

·         Developing a substance labeling strategy

·         Research prioritization

·         The Integrated Chemical Mixtures Project (ICMP)

·         Updating the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)

·         A proposed Watch List Approach

·         Engagement with disproportionately impacted stakeholders

·         International cooperation, including exploration of a tri-national center under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement 

New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). NAMs are being considered to replace, reduce, or refine animal testing in chemical assessments. A guiding strategy for the use of NAMs will be published by June 13, 2025.