CEPA Registry Environmental Law Enforcement Site Map | |
|
New Substances Notification Regulations Biotechnology ProductsPDF Version [21 KB] August 2000 Retail products containing microorganisms, biochemicals (such as enzymes) or biopolymers, are "biotechnology products" and may be subject to the New Substances Notification (NSN) Regulations, pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). If you intend to import or manufacture any products that contain these substances you should be aware of these Regulations since notification is required prior to import or manufacture. The following are examples of products that may be subject to the NSN Regulations if they claim to have enzymatic action or be microbial based:
Examples of terminology on packaging to signify that the NSN Regulations may apply are:
What Should You Do? Ask yourself:
If you suspect you are an importer or manufacturer of "biotechnology products" then contact Environment Canada Headquarters or your regional office to determine whether they are subject to the NSN Regulations. For More Information NSN Information line:
1-800-567-1999 (if calling within Canada) Regional Environment Canada Offices: Please refer to the Contact Us/Comments section of the New Substances Website. Background A "new" substance (ingredient) is one that is not on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) and may be subject to notification under the NSN Regulations. The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999) requires that all "new" substances (ingredients), including those that are living organisms and their products, be examined for the likelihood that they will harm the environment before they are brought into (imported) or made (manufactured) in Canada. The NSN Regulations provide the tools for Environment Canada and Health Canada to make this assessment and are therefore an important part of the federal governments national pollution prevention strategy. What is A Biotechnology Product? Biotechnology is the combination of biology and technology. Biotechnology takes a living organism and uses it to produce something else. It also takes parts of the living organism, such as a piece of a living cell, and changes it to produce something new. Under CEPA and the NSN Regulations, biotechnology is defined as "the application of science and engineering in the direct or indirect use of living organisms or parts or products of living organisms in their natural or modified forms" and a biotechnology product is "a substance that is produced by means of biotechnology". Items covered under the biotechnology term are all organisms, their parts and products. Although this is a very broad definition only certain products of biotechnology are regulated by Environment Canada or other federal government departments/agencies. Remember A new substance is one that is not on the DSL and may be subject to notification under the NSN Regulations. To ensure that the substance is on the DSL and that you may import it into Canada from another country (including the USA), please contact Environment Canada. |
Disclaimer: Although care has been taken to ensure that the information found on this website accurately reflects the requirements prescribed, you are advised that, should any inconsistencies be found, the legal documents, printed in the Canada Gazette, will prevail. |
The Green LaneTM, Environment Canada's World Wide Web site
|
||
|
||
|