Canada Signs Agreement for the Safe Management of Harmful Chemicals in North America

(Environment Canada)

Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice, and his counterparts Stephen Johnson, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Environment Minister Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada of Mexico, have signed a joint Statement of Intent affirming their commitment to developing a regional framework for the safe management of harmful chemicals.

“Our government has committed to protecting the health and environment of Canadians”, said Minister Prentice. “This agreement is a cost-effective way for all countries involved to assess harmful chemicals as quickly as possible by reviewing existing research and taking action on those chemicals that need to be regulated.”

The agreement builds on Canada’s world-leading Chemicals Management Plan by ensuring that Mexico, Canada, and the United States have access to consistent information that can be used to strengthen chemical management in North America. Canada is agreeing to share its analysis of over 23,000 chemicals in use today and in turn, will gain access to critical research and expertise that is being gathered in the United States and Mexico to take action on harmful chemicals.

This announcement builds on existing cooperative initiatives between the United States, Mexico and Canada towards increased capacity building and improved chemicals management in North America. “By sharing scientific information and approaches to chemical testing and risk management, countries have been able to make significant progress on initiatives like the United States’ Chemical Assessment and Management Program” explained Minister Prentice.

The Ministerial Statement of Intent on North American Chemicals Cooperation consolidates and clarifies the nature of these activities, and reaffirms that the three countries remain strongly committed to the sound management of chemicals in North America.