The substance group BNST was added to the Canadian Regulation “Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (the Prohibition Regulations)” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and these regulations came into force on March 14, 2013. BNST is an abbreviation for “Benzenamine, N-phenyl-, Reaction Products with Styrene and 2,4,4-Trimethylpentene”. Risk assessment under the Canadian chemical management plan led to the identification of risk management measures that were necessary and the subsequent restriction of BNST.

BNST may be found in lubricants that are sometimes used for high-speed electrical motors in electronic products such as DVD players.

The Prohibition Regulations prohibit the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale or import of BNST and is also applicable to products containing BNST with a limited number of exemptions. The restriction takes effect starting March 14, 2015. Permits to continue using the substance for up to three years after the 2015 prohibition date are also possible. An application for a permit must be submitted to the Minister of the Environment and it must contain the information specified in Schedule 4 of the Prohibition Regulations.

The Prohibition Regulation is available for download from the Canada Gazette.

ECD Compliance can assist manufacturers with this regulation.