New Substances Program Advisory Note 2004- 02

"Revisions to the Canada - US Four Corners Arrangement"

This advisory note is intended to inform stakeholders about the revisions to the Four Corners Arrangement and the potential benefits that may result for companies notifying new substances in Canada.

The previous Four Corners Agreement focused on providing a mechanism to expedite the movement of substances from the United States Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory to Canada's Non Domestic Substances List (NSDL) before the five-year waiting period elapsed, or to identify Canadian data requirements that could be waived based on US assessment of the same new substance.

The Signatories and Supporting Partners (Environment Canada, Health Canada, US Environmental Protection Agency, Industry Coordinating Group and the American Chemical Council) agreed that it was necessary to change the Agreement into a less formal "Arrangement" that could have a broader, more global scope and provide greater benefits. Discussions on The Four Corners Agreement resulted in the revised Four Corners Arrangement that was signed in December 2003.

The Arrangement aims to achieve efficiencies of resources for all parties with respect to the introduction of new substances to the North American marketplace, while continuing to protect human health and the environment.

The Objectives of the new Arrangement are:

• Increasing cooperation and understanding between US and Canadian government involved in new substances programs, notably with respect to each others' risk assessment and risk management policies and practices;
• Identifying possible strategies for overcoming regulatory, administrative and other barriers to greater cooperation and alignment and taking appropriate actions; and
• Identifying and taking appropriate actions to ensure progress toward the long term goal of greater co-operation and alignment of Canadian and US new substance regulatory schemes.

If you are interested in making a new substance notification under the Four Corners Arrangement , or have any questions or comments about the new arrangement, procedures or the proposed fees for this service in Canada, please contact us by mail at:

Four Corners Arrangement
New Substances Division
Environment Canada
14th Floor, Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

For additional information, including obtaining the reporting forms to be submitted, please visit our page "International Programs"

If you have any questions, please contact the New Substances Notification Information Line at 1-800-567 1999 (within Canada), (819) 953 7156 (outside Canada), or by e-mail at nsn-infoline@ec.gc.ca. As well the New Substances website will provide you with information on the revised Four Corners Arrangement at: www.ec.gc.ca/substances.

Yours Sincerely,

Original signed by

D.C. McBain
Director
New Substances Division
Risk Assessment Directorate