Domestic Substances List

On May 4, 1994, Environment Canada published the Domestic Substances List (DSL) in Part II of the Canada Gazette. The DSL is an inventory of approximately 23 000 substances manufactured in, imported into or used in Canada on a commercial scale. It is based on substances present in Canada, under certain conditions, between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1986.

The DSL is the sole standard against which a substance is judged to be "new" to Canada. With few exemptions, all substances not on this list are considered new and must be reported prior to importation or manufacture in order that they can be assessed to determine if they are toxic or could become toxic to the environment or human health.

It is crucial that notifiers determine whether the substance to be imported into or manufactured in Canada is listed on the DSL or on the Non-domestic Substances List (NDSL). Substances not appearing on the DSL are considered to be new to Canada and are subject to notification. Substances listed on the NDSL are subject to notification but with reduced information requirements.

• Current Domestic Substances List (DSL) of Chemicals and Polymers, listed by Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry Numbers
• Overview and results of DSL categorization
• Biotech DSL of organisms on the Substances Lists

For more information, please see the New Substances Program's homepage.

Contact:
NSN-infoline
Notifications & Client Services Division
New Substances Branch
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, PQ K1A 0H3
Phone Number: (800) 567-1999 (Toll free in Canada)
(819) 953-7156
Facsimile: (819) 953-7155
e-mail: NSN-Infoline@ec.gc.ca
Website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/

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