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ARTICLE · 27 AUGUST 2026

Chemical Substances Compliance Under CEPA: Managing A Growing Regulatory Risk

McCarthy Tétrault
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Chemical substances regulation under Canada's Environmental Protection Act is creating significant legal and operational risks for businesses. As compliance obligations expand across industries...

CanadaEnvironment
Canadian ERA Perspectives
Canadian ERA Perspectives
Cindy Vaillancourt
Cindy Vaillancourt
Una Radoja
Una Radoja
Alexander Steele
Alexander Steele
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Chemical substances regulation is emerging as a significant legal and operational risk for businesses operating in Canada.

As regulatory requirements under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) continue to evolve, companies are facing increasing scrutiny over the substances they manufacture, import, distribute, and sell. New restrictions, reporting obligations, and enforcement initiatives are expanding the scope of compliance obligations across a broad range of industries.

For many organizations, chemical substances management has historically been viewed as a technical or product stewardship issue. Increasingly, however, it has become a front-line legal, regulatory, and reputational concern.

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