Summary of flame retardant assessments and management conducted under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
This page provides a summary of risk assessment and management of flame retardant substances assessed under the Government of Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). This page does not provide a summary of all the Government of Canada initiatives related to flame retardants or flammability standards. Information on the Government’s other initiatives can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.
Flame retardant substances are a diverse group of chemicals which are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics, foams, rubbers, textiles, and surface finishes and coatings, for the purpose of slowing the ignition and spread of fire. This flame retardant summary page has been prepared to:
- inform flame retardant stakeholders, consumers and the general public
- support stakeholders in making informed substitution decisions
- highlight caution statements in assessments of flame retardants which have not been found to be of concern based on current levels of exposure
- provide a central location from which to find flame retardant risk assessment conclusions/findings under various initiatives under CMP
First launched in 2006, the CMP provides a framework for assessing and managing the risks associated with chemical substances. The CMP achieves this through the systematic prioritization, risk assessment and, as appropriate, risk management of existing and new chemicals supported by monitoring, surveillance, research, and program and policy management. Further information and updates on risk management actions can be found in the CMP risk management actions table and the risk management activities and consultations schedule.
Pursuant to sections 68 and 74 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health conduct screening assessments of substances to determine whether these substances present or may present a risk to the environment or to human health. A substance may be found toxic (section 64 in Part 5 of CEPA) if it is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that:have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity
(a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity
(b) constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends
(c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health
If a substance is determined to be toxic as defined in section 64 of CEPA, the Minister has an obligation to make risk management instruments for any toxic substance that met the criteria set out under s 73 of CEPA. The conclusions and risk management measures for flame retardant substances are summarized in four tables, as follows:
- Table 1 - Flame retardants found not harmful to human health or the environment
- Table 2 - Flame retardants found not harmful to human health or the environment with a caution statement and/or associated risk management measures
- Table 3 - Flame retardants found harmful to human health or the environment and associated risk management measures
- Table 4 - Flame retardants under assessment
Notes:
- Information provided on this page was updated on 2022-02-03.
- For detailed information regarding the assessment of substances listed on this webpage, a link to screening assessments is provided.
- Proposed conclusions from draft screening assessment reports or draft state of science reports may be subject to change upon publication of final screening assessment reports or final state of science reports.
- Substances may be reevaluated in the future and final conclusions may be subject to change upon receipt of new information and/or increases in use/exposure.
- Caution statements and risk management measures relate to important information regarding all uses of the substance, including use as a flame retardant.
| CAS RN | Domestic Substances List name | Common name (acronym) | Assessment status under CEPA | Risk management measures and/or caution statements | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32588-76-4 | 1H-Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, 2,2'-(1,2-ethanediyl)bis[4,5,6,7-tetrabromo- | ethylene bis(tetrabromo phthalimide) (EBTBP) |
Not harmful to human health or the environment | n/a | Certain organic flame retardants grouping |
| 126-73-8 | Phosphoric acid tributyl ester | Tributyl phosphate (TBP) |
Not harmful to human health or the environment | n/a | Chemical Substances in Batch 5 of the Challenge |
| 1309-64-4 | Antimony oxide (Sb2O3) | Antimony trioxide | Not harmful to human health or the environment | n/a | Chemical Substances in Batch 9 of the Challenge |
| 25327-89-3 | Benzene, 1,1'-(1-methylethylidene)bis[3,5-dibromo-4-(2-propenyloxy)- | TBBPA bis(allyl ether) | Not harmful to human health or the environment | n/a | n/a |
| 4162-45-2 | Ethanol, 2,2'-[(1-methylethylidene)bis[(2,6-dibromo-4,1-phenylene) oxy]]bis- | TBBPA bis(2-hydroxyethyl ether) | Not harmful to human health or the environment | n/a | n/a |
| 68527-01-5a | Alkenes, C12-30 α-, bromo chloro | Alkenes, C12-30 α-, bromo chloro | Not harmful to human health or the environment | On the basis of additional evaluation, the ERC classification of ecological risk of the substance decreased following publication of the science approach document. However, it is noted that the ERC hazard for this substance is listed as high. | The rapid screening approach |
| 68527-02-6a | Alkenes, C12-24, chloro | Alkenes, C12-24, chloro | Not harmful to human health or the environment | On the basis of additional evaluation, the ERC classification of ecological risk of the substance decreased following publication of the science approach document. However, it is noted that the ERC hazard for this substance is listed as high. | The rapid screening approach |
a Though the substance was identified as a high hazard according to the information considered in Ecological Risk Classification of organic substances, this substance was not identified as having possible ecological effects of concern at this time.
| CAS RN | Domestic Substances List name | Common name (acronym) | Assessment status under CEPA | Risk management measures and caution statements | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1330-78-5 | Phosphoric acid, tris(methylphenyl) ester | Tricresyl Phosphate (TCP) | Not harmful to human health or the environment | Listed as a prohibited ingredient as communicated in Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. | Certain organic flame retardants grouping |
| 77-47-4 | 1,3-Cyclopentadiene, 1,2,3,4,5,5-hexachloro- | Hexachlorocyclo pentadiene | Not harmful to human health or the environment | This substance was initially classified as having a moderate potential for ecological risk, however, the risk classification was decreased to low potential for ecological risk following the adjustment of risk classification based on current use quantities. The Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) classified this substance as potentially having a high potency. The potential effects and how they may manifest in the environment were not further investigated due to the low ecological exposure of this substance. | 72 substances identified as being of low concern |
| 79-94-7 | Phenol, 4,4'-(1-methylethylidene)bis[2,6-dibromo- | TBBPA | Not harmful to human health or the environment | Although there is currently limited exposure in Canada to TBBPA and its concentrations currently in the environment are not indicative of harm to organisms in Canada, there may be concerns if new activities were to occur, including increased volume of manufacture, import or use, which may result in increased exposure to organisms in Canada. | n/a |
| 52434-90-9 | 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, 1,3,5-tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)- | TDBP-TAZTO | Not harmful to human health or the environment |
Given that TDBP-TAZTO is recognized for hazardous properties for the environment, there is concern that new activities that have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to this substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act.
Subject to Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions |
The rapid screening approach |
| 608-71-9 | Phenol, pentabromo- | PBP | Not harmful to human health or the environment |
Given the persistence, bioaccumulation and inherent toxicity (PBiT) properties of this substance, there is concern that new activities for the above substances which have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to the substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act.
Subject to SNAc provisions |
PBiT substances risk assessment and order amending the Domestic Substances List |
| 593-60-2 | Ethene, bromo- | Ethene, bromo- | Not harmful to human health or the environment | Given the potential effects of concern for human health, there is concern that new activities for this substance which have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to the substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act. Subject to SNAc provisions | 52 high-hazard (HH) substances information sheet |
| 3296-90-0 | 1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)- | 1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(bromomethyl)- | Not harmful to human health or the environment |
Given the potential effects of concern for human health, there is concern that new activities for this substance which have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to the substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act.
Subject to SNAc provisions |
52 HH substances information sheet |
| 115-28-6 | Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, 1,4,5,6,7,7-hexachloro- | Chlorendic Acid | Not harmful to human health or the environment |
Given the potential effects of concern for human health, there is concern that new activities for this substance which have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to the substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act.
Subject to SNAc provisions |
52 HH substances information sheet |
| 25155-23-1 | Phenol, dimethyl-, phosphate (3:1) | Trixylyl phosphate (TXP) | Not harmful to human health or the environment | Given the potential effects of concern for human health, there is concern that new activities for this substance which have not been identified or assessed under CEPA could lead to the substance meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act. Notice of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List under subsection 87(3) of CEPA |
n/a |
| 26446-73-1 | Phosphoric acid, bis(methylphenyl) phenyl ester | DMPP | Not harmful to human health or the environment | Ecological Risk Classification of Organic Substances (ERC) classified this substance as having low potential for risk on the basis of current use patterns; however, it is structurally similar to substances having a higher potential for risk. The potential effects and how they may manifest in the environment were not further investigated due to the low ecological exposure of this substance. The risk classification outcome for this substance was adjusted to low risk on the basis of its low potential for exposure. | The rapid screening approach |
| 3278-89-5 | Benzene, 1,3,5-tribromo-2-(2-propenyloxy)- | ATE | Low potential for harm to human health or the environmenta | Although present estimated levels of exposure of ATE are not indicative of harm to the environment or to human health, there may be concerns if import and use quantities were to increase in Canada. As ATE is a commercial alternative to other flame retardants, there is a possibility that quantities could increase in Canada. Given that ATE is not on the Domestic Substances List (DSL), the substance will continue to be subject to section 81 of the Act and the New Substances Notifications Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) of CEPA. |
New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals & Polymers) Certain organic flame retardants grouping |
| 26040-51-7 | 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester | bis(2-ethylhexyl) 3,4,5,6-tetra bromophthalate (TBPH) | Low potential for harm to human health or the environmenta | Although present estimated levels of exposure of TBB and TBPH are not indicative of harm to the environment or to human health, it is important to recognize that these substances are new substances, as they are not on the DSL, and that Ministerial Conditions are the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) impose handling stewardship practices to prevent releases of these substances to the environment. There may be concerns if import and use quantities were to increase in Canada or if Ministerial Conditions were not in place. As TBB and TBPH are among commercial alternatives to high-volume legacy flame retardants like Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and noting that TBPH has high-production volume status in other jurisdictions, there is a probability that quantities could increase in Canada. Given that TBB and TBPH are not on the DSL, they will continue to be subject to the New Substances Notifications Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) of CEPA. |
New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals & Polymers)
Certain organic flame retardants grouping |
| 183658-27-7 | benzoic acid, 2,3,4,5-tetrabromo-, 2-ethylhexyl ester |
2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetra bromobenzoate (TBB) |
Low potential for harm to human health or the environmenta | Although present estimated levels of exposure of TBB and TBPH are not indicative of harm to the environment or to human health, it is important to recognize that these substances are new substances, as they are not on the DSL, and that Ministerial Conditions are the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) impose handling stewardship practices to prevent releases of these substances to the environment. There may be concerns if import and use quantities were to increase in Canada or if Ministerial Conditions were not in place. As TBB and TBPH are among commercial alternatives to high-volume legacy flame retardants like Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and noting that TBPH has high-production volume status in other jurisdictions, there is a probability that quantities could increase in Canada. Given that TBB and TBPH are not on the DSL, they will continue to be subject to the New Substances Notifications Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) of CEPA. |
New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals & Polymers)
Certain organic flame retardants grouping |
Notes: a Assessment status from State of Science Report instead of Screening Assessment Report
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