On December 31, 2025 The Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025 were published in the Canada Gazette Part II. These regulations will replace and repeal the current 2012 regulations, when they come into effect on June 230, 2026. The Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations are a multi-substance risk management instrument that prohibit, with limited exemptions, the manufacture, use, sale, and import of specified toxic substances and products containing them. The 2025 Regulations further tighten existing controls on several substances already regulated under the 2012 framework and introduce new prohibitions for additional substances.
Specifically, the 2025 Regulations further restrict PFOS, PFOA, long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs), HBCD, and PBDEs, while introducing new restrictions on Dechlorane Plus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), including products containing these substances. Certain time-limited exemptions (authorized activities) are provided to allow industry time to transition to alternatives. Where no exemption applies, the Regulations allow for permits of up to one year, renewable twice (maximum three years), to temporarily permit limited ongoing activities involving DP, DBDPE, and specific products containing PFOA, LC-PFCAs, HBCD, or decaBDE. Permit applications must be submitted through the Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Regulatory Services Platform during the July 1–30, 2026 application window.
In addition, laboratory reporting requirements for listed toxic substances will continue under the 2025 Regulations, with an important expansion. As of June 30, 2026, laboratories using listed substances for analysis, scientific research, or as analytical standards must also report on the use of DP and DBDPE, in addition to substances already covered under the 2012 Regulations. Users of any listed toxic substance or product for these laboratory purposes are required to report planned uses through ECCC’s Regulatory Services Platform.
Please note that the publication of the Order Amending the Export Control List (ECL) in Schedule 3 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) (the Order) is planned after the publication of the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2025.
The government is offering two information sessions on the 2025 Regulations and updates to the Order amending the ECL. To register, please complete the following form before February 16, 2026:
English – February 20, 2026 at 13:30 EST – English session registration form
French – February 19, 2026 at 13:30 EST – French session registration form
Questions can be submitted in advance either within the registration form or by emailing interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca with the subject line “Information session – Question on the 2025 Regulations and/or the Order”.
Further information is available by contacting interdiction-prohibition@ec.gc.ca or your CA Regulatory Team at regulatory@cosmeticsalliance.ca.
