In-Commerce List of Food and Drugs Act Substances

Since September 2001, substances in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act (F&DA) have been subject to the  New Substances Notification Regulations (NSNR) of the  Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999. Substances which were in products that were regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and that were in Canadian commerce between 01 January 1987 and 13 September 2001 were placed on a list, called the In-Commerce List (ICL) until a regulatory framework could be developed to adequately address them.

The ICL contains substances found in pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, biologics and genetic therapies, cosmetics, medical devices and food additives. The ICL is a static list which will not change.

The ICL consists of four sub-lists:

• Substances in Human Pharmaceuticals, Veterinary Drugs and Similar Products In Commerce Between 1987 and 2001 - CAS Registry Number Known
• Substances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products In Commerce Between 1987 and 2001 - CAS Registry Number Known
• Substances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products In Commerce Between 1987 and 2001 - CAS Registry Number Not Found
• Substances in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products In Commerce Between 1987 and 2001 - Ingredient or Mixture of Ingredients Unknown

Need to Revise the ICL

The ICL was compiled from Health Canada records, and while the ICL has been a useful administrative tools, it contained duplications, omissions and inaccurate chemical identifiers.  As such, Health Canada recognized the need to revise the ICL in order to resolve its shortcomings. In September of 2010, a Notice of Intent to revise the ICL was published in  Canada Gazette Part I.

The revision of the ICL was carried out through:

1. a substance identity verification program within Health Canada and
2. a voluntary Nomination Process

The Nomination Process for including substances on the revised ICL had two phases. Phase II was completed February 14, 2012. Although the formal Nomination Process for including substances on the revised ICL has ended, any additional nominations to the revised ICL may be submitted and will be reviewed. Health Canada will update the revised ICL on their web site, as required.

Related Resources

•  Chemicals Management Plan
•  Domestic Substance List (DSL)
•  Guidelines for the Notification and Testing of New Substances: Chemicals and Polymers
•  Guidelines for the Notification and Testing of New Substances: Organisms
• List of substances in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act which are eligible for nomination to the DSL
•  New Substances Notifications Regulations (NSNR) (Chemicals and Polymers)
•  New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms)
• Health Canada programme areas:
  • Biologics
  • Cosmetics
  • Generic therapies
  • Medical devices
  • Natural Health Products
  • Novel foods and food additives
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Veterinary drugs