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Priority A (higher hazard) micro-organisms on the Domestic Substances List

Priority A (higher hazard) micro-organism strains on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) were given a high priority for assessment because the Government of Canada considered them human, plant or animal pathogens (in the case of microbial consortia) or because their hazard level is uncertain. More information about the prioritization of micro-organisms on the Domestic Substances List is available. Information on all micro-organism assessments is also available.

Applying the Significant New Activity provisions

Potential uses of concern for strains in Priority A are addressed through the application of the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions. View the Significant New Activity Publications under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). Orders are subject to potential amendments under the Significant New Activity (SNAc) Review. For guidance on submitting information required as part of a Significant New Activity Notification (SNAN), please see the new substances: guidelines for organisms.

Varying the requirements under the Significant New Activity provisions

In June 2021, a notice of intent to amend the DSL to vary the requirements under the SNAc provisions for Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 60-day public comment period. The proposed amendments are an outcome of the SNAc Review. The DSL amendments do not come into force until the final order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. Any current requirements under the SNAc provisions remain in effect until then.

Rescinding the requirements under the Significant New Activity provisions

In June 2021, the requirements under the SNAc provisions for Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains ATCC 31480, 700370 and 700371 were proposed to be rescinded. These strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are currently subject to the SNAc provisions as a result of the 2012 screening assessment of these strains. They were later included in the Remaining Existing Substances SNAc Review Group under the SNAc Review. That review led to the recommendation that the requirements under the SNAc provisions for these micro-organisms be rescinded. Therefore, a notice of intent to amend the DSL to rescind the requirements under the SNAc provisions was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for a 60-day public comment period. Current SNAc requirements remain in effect until the final order is published in the Canada Gazette, Part II.

Summary of Priority A micro-organism strains and publications

Final screening assessment
Species Strain/accession number Final screening assessment Conclusion on section 64 criteria SNAc application Additional information
Aspergillus awamori ATCC 22342 HTML Does not meet HTML n/a
Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 n/a
Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11866 HTML Does not meet HTML n/a
Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 HTML Does not meet No longer applicable Human and animal pathogen on the DSLtable 2 note 2
Bacillus subtilistable 2 note 1 11685-3 (B. cereus) Human and animal pathogen on the DSLtable 2 note 2
Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 12713 HTML Does not meet n/a n/a
Bacillus species 4 18121-4 n/a
Bacillus subtilis subspecies inaquosorum ATCC 55406 n/a
Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 HTML Does not meet n/a Human and animal pathogen on the DSLtable 2 note 2
Escherichia hermannii ATCC 700368 HTML Does not meet n/a n/a
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • ATCC 31480
  • ATCC 700370
  • ATCC 700371
 HTML Does not meet HTML Human and animal pathogen on the DSLtable 2 note 2
Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 HTML Does not meet HTML n/a
Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17587 HTML Does not meet n/a n/a

Table 2 notes

Table 2 note 1

The Bacillus subtilis strain was subsequently added to the Bacillus cereus screening assessment after its draft publication. The addition of this strain does not change any of the assessment outcomes.

Return to table 2 note 1 referrer

Table 2 note 2

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has classified this biological agent as a human and/or terrestrial animal pathogen. Under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (HPTA), controlled activities with human pathogens that are classified as Risk Group 2-4 require a licence issued by PHAC. PHAC is also responsible for issuing permits for the importation or transfer of pure cultures of indigenous terrestrial animal pathogens of Risk Group 2-4 on behalf of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), under the authority of the Health of Animals Act (HAA).

For a listing of Risk Group classifications of biological agents in Canada, visit ePATHogen - Risk Group Database.

Please contact licence.permis@phac-aspc.gc.ca for further information.

Please note: The CFIA has the authority under the HAA and the Health of Animals Regulations to issue importation permits and transfer permits for animal pathogens in an animal, animal products and or animal by-products, aquatic animal pathogens, bee pathogens, pathogens causing foreign animal diseases, and pathogens causing emerging animal diseases. The CFIA also issues import permits for plant pests under the Plant Protection Act.

Return to table 2 note 2 referrer
Timelines
Date Species affected Activity
June 22, 2022 Aspergillus awamori ATCC 22342 (=Aspergillus niger ATCC 22342) and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 156, No. 13 of an order amending the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999.
June 19, 2021 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371) and Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 155, No. 25 of the notice of intent to amend the DSL to vary the requirements under the SNAc provisions for Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 and to rescind the SNAc requirements for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371), and start of a 60-day public comment period.
August 24, 2019 Aspergillus awamori ATCC 22342 (=Aspergillus niger ATCC 22342) and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 153, No. 34 of a notice of intent to amend the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999, and start of a 60-day public comment period.
August 24, 2019 Aspergillus awamori ATCC 22342 (=Aspergillus niger ATCC 22342) and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 153, No. 34.
August 4, 2018 Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 and Bacillus subtilis 11685-3 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 152, No. 31.
May 30, 2018 Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11866 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 152, No. 11 of an order amending the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999.
March 24, 2018 Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 152, No. 12.
January 21, 2017 Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11866 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 3 of a notice of intent to amend the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
January 21, 2017 Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11866 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 151, No. 3.
July 13, 2016 Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 150, No. 14 of an order amending the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999.
March 19, 2016 Aspergillus oryzae ATCC 11866 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette Part I: Vol. 150, No. 12.
August 1, 2015 Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 12713, Bacillus species 4 18121-4, and Bacillus subtilis subspecies inaquosorum ATCC 55406 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 31. This final screening assessment also applies to some Priority B micro-organisms included in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis Group.
August 1, 2015 Escherichia hermannii ATCC 700368 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 31.
February 14, 2015 Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 7 of a notice of intent to amend the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
February 14, 2015 Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 7.
January 17, 2015 Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17584 Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 149, No. 3
November 29, 2014 Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 12713, Bacillus species 4 18121-4, and Bacillus subtilis subspecies inaquosorum ATCC 55406 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 48. This draft screening assessment also applies to some Priority B micro-organisms included in the DSL Bacillus licheniformis/subtilis Group.
November 29, 2014 Escherichia hermannii ATCC 700368 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 48.
July 19, 2014 Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17587 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 29.
June 14, 2014 Aspergillus awamori ATCC 22342 (=Aspergillus niger ATCC 22342) and Aspergillus brasiliensis ATCC 9642 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 24.
June 14, 2014 Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 13048 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 148, No. 24.
December 7, 2013 Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 13525 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 49.
July 13, 2013 Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 28 of a notice of intent to amend the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
July 13, 2013 Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 147, No. 28.
June 20, 2012 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371) Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Vol. 146, No. 13 of an order amending the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999.
June 9, 2012 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371) Publication of the final screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 146, No. 23.
July 2, 2011 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371) Publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145, No. 27 of a notice of intent to amend the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions of CEPA 1999, and start of 60-day public comment period.
July 2, 2011 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strains ATCC 31480, ATCC 700370 and ATCC 700371) Publication and start of 60-day public comment period on the draft screening assessment. The related notice was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I: Vol. 145, No. 27.

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