In 2001, CEPA required that the 23,000 substances on the Domestic Substances List (DSL) be categorized by 2006 and subject to a Screening Level Risk Assessment (SLRA) if warranted. On December 9, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the government's new Chemicals Management Plan. CCSPA is working hard to ensure our industry and our substances are defended. We advocate for:

• science-based decisions
• due process for companies
• effective communications

We also:

• assist our members to evaluate and submit the necessary technical data to government that will allow continued access to technology
• increase the proactive communication by government on regulation, approval processes and their actions on substances

CCSPA is very active on the public relations side of this issue. We are providing Q&As and key messages to our members and their customers plus handling media interviews on this important topic.

The Formulated Products Industry Coalition

CCSPA is a founding member of the Formulated Products Industry Coalition (FPIC), a group that represents the industry associations who have products regulated under the Food & Drugs Act (F&DA). Our members provide food, personal care products, household cleaners, cosmetics, medical devices and pharmaceuticals to Canadian consumers. Collectively, we represent over 750 member companies, comprise a $66 billion/year industry and employ over 375,000 Canadians.

This unique stakeholder coalition was formed by 14 trade associations in 2001 to provide a unified voice for the affected industry sectors; to serve as a resource to industry, Health Canada, and Environment Canada; and to help ensure that substances used in formulated consumer products, including those regulated under the F&DA, are subject to appropriate, efficient, and effective environmental assessments.

A key issue for FPIC is the In Commerce List (ICL), which is a list of 9,000 substances in commerce in Canada between 1987 and 2001. We believe these substances should be considered "existing" substances under CEPA (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) and given appropriate post-market assessments as per the Categorization and Screening of the Domestic Substances List (CSDSL). We are seeking a legislation amendment.

"It's time to celebrate! CCSPA, along with other major consumer product trade associations, played a central role in establishing an important coalition, FPIC (Formulated Products Industry Coalition). The CCSPA staff... are to be commended for participating and making this work. On behalf of members, many congratulations to CCSPA for this leadership work!" Anne E. McConnell Director, Regulatory and Environment Procter & Gamble

The Pest Control Products Act and Regulations

The new Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) received Royal Assent on December 12, 2002, after a report was tabled by the Senate Committee during 3rd reading on December 10, 2002. CCSPA submitted extensive comments and met with key officials at the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) on the proposed regulations to alleviate unnecessary costs to our industry and harmonize with our major trading partners.

To further advance our members' knowledge/understanding of the new regulations, CCSPA coordinated 2 registrant training seminars in 2006 and a 2-day Canadian Pesticide Regulation Course in 2008.

We continue to work proactively with PMRA to resolve our key concerns with the proposed regulations.

Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals

The Canadian federal government is preparing policies and strategies to implement the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in Canada by 2008, which will affect all CCSPA members in various ways. To support members' interests as Canadian policy for GHS is developed and implemented, CCSPA formed the GHS Ad Hoc Working Group, and we participate on numerous external GHS committees with government.

CCSPA is working with our sister associations to ensure we have North American harmonization and the timing of Canada's implementation coincides with our major trading partners. We are also involved with our global associations to ensure effective positioning of our concerns.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were declared toxic under CEPA as precursors to ground-level ozone, a component of smog. They have been added to Schedule 1 of CEPA, the Toxic Substances List, and will undergo mandatory risk management as determined by Environment Canada. Currently, VOCs in consumer products are subject to a voluntary guideline based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule.