Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced on February 9, 2022, that the government introduced in the Senate the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act (Bill S-5), intended to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act (FDA). The bill was initially introduced in the 43rd Parliament in April 2021 as Bill C-28, but it was not considered due to the federal election in September 2021. ECCC states that the bill would “encourage businesses to transition to the production and use of chemicals that are safer for the environment and human health.” Under the bill, ECCC would develop a new plan of chemical management priorities and would propose a new regime to manage toxic substances of highest risk. Canada would create a publicly available “Watch List” of substances determined to be capable of becoming toxic under CEPA to inform Canadians and businesses of substances that they may wish to avoid. This memorandum provides a summary of the amendments and new measures in the bill. For more information, please read the full memorandum.
The ACTA GROUP
Washington, D.C.
Manchester, U.K.
Brussels, Belgium
Beijing, China
(202) 266-5020
(202) 557-3836 (fax)
www.actagroup.com