CIAC welcomes Government response to CEPA amendment recommendations

The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) was pleased with the Federal Government’s response to recommendations made by the House Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development in its review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

“We are pleased to see the Government restate its commitment to the Chemicals Management Plan and the risk-based assessment and management of chemicals in Canada,” said Bob Masterson, President and CEO of CIAC.

Last summer, the Committee made 87 wide-ranging recommendations to amend CEPA. Like the Government, CIAC agrees with many of the Committee’s recommendations. Where the government has already addressed the recommendations through improved policy and program actions, they consulted with industry and civil society groups in making these changes in a clear and transparent manner.

Additionally, CIAC worked closely with its partners EcoJustice and Environmental Defence to provide consensus view to the Federal Government on several important areas including vulnerable populations, labelling, transparency and risk assessment. The country’s comprehensive and wide-ranging environmental law has not been updated since 1999.

CIAC will continue to work with our members and partners and engage with Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to inform their work in amending CEPA and continue to support a risk-based framework for CEPA and chemicals management.

“We share the belief in the concept of continuous improvement and look forward to working with the Government and other stakeholders to inform the review of CEPA in the future,” Mr. Masterson said. “We thank Health Canada and ECCC for their robust and substantive response in addressing the serious concerns raised by the Committee.”