Part 5 of CEPA 1999 focuses on understanding and reducing the risks posed by new and existing substances by providing the authority to determine which of these substances should be evaluated to determine whether they are "toxic", and, if appropriate, the authority to implement preventive or control measures to relevant aspects of the substance life cycle. Environment Canada shares with Health Canada the task of conducting risk assessments as well as the management associated with toxic substances.

In order to distinguish new substances from existing ones and to prescribe reporting requirements for new substances, Environment Canada has established substance inventories or "lists".

Lists of Substances

• Domestic Substances List
  The Domestic Substances List (DSL) is a list of substances that, between January 1, 1984 and December 31, 1986 were in Canadian commerce; used for manufacturing purposes; or manufactured in or imported to Canada in a quantity of 100 kilograms or more in any calendar year. The DSL contains approximately 23,000 substances. It is amended regularly to include additional substances that have been deemed eligible following their assessment under the New Substances Notification Regulations.
  • Categorization of the Domestic Substances List
  • Chemical Substances Portal
  
  
• Export Control List
  Substances whose export is controlled because their use in Canada is prohibited or severely restricted or because Canada has accepted, through an international agreement, to control their export.
  
  
• Non-Domestic Substances List
  An inventory of substances that are not on the Domestic Substances List, but are accepted as being in commercial use internationally
  
  
• Priority Substances List
  Substances that require investigation on a priority and in-depth basis to determine if they are toxic under the Act
  
  
• Toxic Substances List
  Substances that meet the definition of toxic under CEPA 1999
  
  
• Virtual Elimination List
  Substances designated for virtual elimination and their Level of Quantification
  
  
• Waste or other matter that may be disposed of at sea
  Substances that are allowed to be disposed of at sea

Assessments and Toxics Management

• Assessment of Substances
  Draft assessments, final assessments and technical guidance
  
  
• Management of Toxics
  Information on toxic substances managed under CEPA 1999 and related policies and processes

Inventories

• National Pollutant Release Inventory
  A legislated, nation-wide, publicly-accessible inventory of pollutants released, disposed of and recycled by facilities in Canada