Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Health Canada (HC) have launched a voluntary survey on any manufacture, import, or use activities that involve nanoscale silver (nano-Ag) (CAS RN 7440-22-4). They have used publicly available sources of information to identify Canadian companies potentially involved with nano-Ag and reached out to them directly.
Please note that a substance is considered to be a nanomaterial if it meets Health Canada’s Working Definition for Nanomaterial and if 10% or more (by number) of its primary particles have at least one internal or external dimension at or within the nanoscale of 1 to 100 nm. If a particle size distribution by number is not available, it may be considered a nanomaterial if at least 1% (by mass) of the primary particles has at least one internal or external dimension at or within the nanoscale.
The following information is being requested to inform the nano-Ag risk assessment:
- The quantities of nano-Ag or silver that may be at the nanoscale, which were manufactured, imported or used during the 2024 calendar year, described by application codes and function codes.
- The concentration of nano-Ag in final products, and the forms of the final products (liquid, powder, aerosol, etc.).
- Characterization data such as particle size, size distribution, shape, and surface chemistry on any silver that may be at the nanoscale.
Responding to the survey will ensure that accurate information will be used to inform government risk assessments. In the absence of information, conservative assumptions to be protective of human health and the environment are applied. The replies are requested by January 12, 2026.
Members who may have involvement with this substance but were not contacted directly should reach out the department for forms and information at nanotechnology-nanotechnologie@ec.gc.ca or substances@ec.gc.ca. You can also reach out to your CA regulatory team at regulatory@cosmeticsalliance.ca.
