Should Boric Acid Be Listed as Toxic Under Environmental Law?

Official title: Updated Draft Assessment of Boric Acid, its salts and its precursors and the Revised Risk Management Scope.

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Health & Safety
The government is proposing to officially list boric acid and related chemicals as toxic under Canadian environmental law. Why? A new assessment found these substances can harm aquatic life near certain industrial facilities. Boric acid is everywhere—insulation, cleaning products, cosmetics, pool chemicals, even slime toys. The proposal would trigger new rules to manage how these products are made and used.

Why This Matters

Use cleaning products? Cosmetics? Pool chemicals? Your kids play with slime? Boric acid is in all of these. Young children already have higher exposure levels than adults. If listed as toxic, products you buy could change—different formulas, new labels, maybe higher prices. People living near metal processing facilities should pay attention too.

What Could Change

Boric acid could be added to Schedule 1 of CEPA—the official list of toxic substances. That triggers mandatory risk management. Manufacturers may face new limits on how much boric acid can go into consumer products. The assessment found one metal processing facility already poses ecological risk—expect tighter discharge rules for that sector.

Key Issues

  • Should boric acid be officially listed as toxic under CEPA?
  • Are the scientific findings in the updated assessment accurate?
  • What risk management measures should apply to boric acid products?

How to Participate

  1. Review the updated draft assessment and the revised risk management scope to understand the scientific basis for the proposal.
  2. Submit written comments by email to substances@ec.gc.ca, citing Canada Gazette, Part I, March 8, 2025.

Key Documents