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Canada · OntarioIn force

Ontario recognizes CSA-approved respirators in three exposure regulations

Ontario amendments effective July 1, 2026 expressly recognize CSA-approved respirators in three exposure regulations and add Canadian particulate-filter identifiers to specified asbestos provisions. The changes concern respirator approval and filter references within each regulation's existing scope.

Scope to keep in mind

These amendments establish no new numerical exposure limit, assigned protection factor or sampling requirement. Respirator suitability and other applicable protection requirements still need site-specific review.

Legal status
in force
Source check
Sep 17, 2026
Topic
Respiratory protection and asbestos controls
Technical review
Jiaxi · 2026-09-23

What changed

Previous requirement

The affected provisions used NIOSH-focused approval language and filter identifiers N-100, R-100 and P-100.

New requirement or current position

Reg. 833 s10(1) and O. Reg. 490/09 s26.2(1) expressly accept NIOSH or CSA approval. Approval by another testing and certification agency remains conditional on a qualified industrial-hygiene practitioner’s opinion that protection is at least equivalent to a NIOSH- or CSA-approved respirator. O. Reg. 278/05 s14 paragraph 12 and s15 paragraph 11 also recognize CSA approval. The specified asbestos-filter clauses and Table 2 now include CA-N100, CA-R100 and CA-P100 alongside N100, R100 and P100.

Who it affects

  • Workplaces covered by Reg.833 exposure-control rules
  • Workplaces covered by designated-substance requirements
  • Asbestos work on construction projects and in buildings and repair operations

Dates and milestones

Commencement and compliance dates can differ. Read the conditions beside each date, including any stay or local adoption requirement.

Announcement or publication
Apr 20, 2026
Recorded effective date
Jul 1, 2026
Jul 1, 2026

Respirator approval and specified asbestos-filter provisions under Reg. 833, O. Reg. 490/09 and O. Reg. 278/05

O. Regs. 113/26 and 114/26 s3 and 115/26 s5 commence on the later of this date and filing. All three were filed April 20, 2026.

What this could mean for your IH program

Review respirator procurement and approval records against the applicable regulation. Update program references to include accepted CSA certifications and Canadian filter identifiers, while retaining the applicable selection, fit-testing, training and use requirements.

Confirm applicability with a qualified practitioner before changing your program.

Questions and qualifications

  • Announced date records publication on e-Laws. All three instruments were made April 16, 2026 and published in the Ontario Gazette May 9, 2026.
  • This event covers the three named approval/filter amendments. It establishes no new numerical OEL, assigned protection factor or sampling requirement.
  • Coverage is limited to each underlying regulation’s application. Federal workplaces and other provinces require their own applicable rules.
  • These amendments do not establish a universal entitlement to substitute any respirator or filter; suitability and the other applicable respiratory-protection requirements still need site-specific review.
  • This entry covers the three named approval and filter amendments. It does not provide a complete historical comparison of the underlying regulations or establish the status of exposure-registry initiatives and other Ontario changes.

Source evidence

  1. O. Reg. 113/26: Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents

    Ontario e-Laws, King’s Printer for Ontario · Filing/publication block; ss1-3; amends Reg. 833 s10(1) paragraph 1 and s10(3)(b)

    Expressly recognizes CSA-approved respirators and adds CA-N100, CA-R100 and CA-P100 filter identifiers. Filed April 20, 2026; s3 sets July 1, 2026 or filing, whichever is later.

  2. O. Reg. 114/26: Designated Substances

    Ontario e-Laws, King’s Printer for Ontario · Filing/publication block; ss1-3; amends O. Reg. 490/09 s26.2(1) paragraph 1 and s26.2(3)(b)

    Adds CSA approval alongside NIOSH and qualified equivalent-protection assessment for other agencies; updates asbestos-filter identifiers. Filing April 20, 2026 and s3 establish July 1, 2026 commencement.

  3. O. Reg. 115/26: Designated Substance - Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations

    Ontario e-Laws, King’s Printer for Ontario · Filing/publication block; ss1-5; amends O. Reg. 278/05 s14 paragraph 12, s15 paragraph 11 and Table 2

    Adds CSA recognition to two asbestos-operation provisions, updates Table 2 filter identifiers, and defines CSA/NIOSH. Filed April 20, 2026; s5 gives July 1, 2026 commencement.

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