Priority Substances List

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999, section 76) requires the Ministers of the Environment and of Health to establish a Priority Substances List (PSL) that identifies substances to be assessed on a priority basis to determine whether they are toxic (as defined under Section 64 of the Act) and pose a risk to the health of Canadians or to the environment. Assessments of substances placed on the PSL are the shared responsibility of Environment Canada and Health Canada. A Priority Substance may be a chemical, a group or class of chemicals, effluents or wastes.

Assessments of the first 44 substances placed on the list (PSL1) were completed by February 1994. Following the recommendations of a multi-stakeholder Expert Advisory Panel, 25 substances were added to the list (PSL2).

Priority Substances List 1 (PSL1)

PSL1 Reports: www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/psl1-1.cfm

Priority Substances List 2 (PSL2)

PSL2 Reports: www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/psap/psl2-1.cfm

For more information about the CEPA Priority Substances Assessment Program please contact Environment Canada or Health Canada.

Contact:
Existing Substances Branch
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, PQ K1A 0H3
Phone Number: (819) 997-0822
Facsimile: (819) 953-4936
e-mail: esb.dse@ec.gc.ca
Website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/esehome.cfm