On 18 July 2015, Canadian government published Order 2015-66-03-02 to recommend selenium compounds be added to the list of toxic substances under Schedule 1 to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

According to Notice in the Canada Gazette, the Ministers of Environment and Health said selenium and its compounds had met one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Act after screening assessment. Under that section, substances are considered harmful if they are entering, or could enter, the environment in quantities or concentrations, or under conditions that:

• have, or may have, an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its
• biological diversity;
• constitute, or may constitute, a danger to the environment on which life depends; or
• constitute, or may constitute, a danger to human life or health in Canada.

In addition, 73 substances are added to the Domestic Substances List, 63 of which are included in Part I and the rest in Part II.