Canada clears benzoates, DIDA in final assessments

The Canadian government has determined that nine benzoates and DIDA do not pose considerable risk to human health or the environment, according to a final screening assessment. The conclusion that the substances do not meet the criteria of section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Cepa) is consistent with draft screening assessments published in 2017. This means the government will take no further action on the nine benzoates at this time. However, in the case of hexanedioic acid, diisodecyl ester (DIDA), Canada has signalled its intent to impose significant new activity (Snac) provisions on it.