February 8, 2007

OTTAWA - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, today announced the launch of the Challenge to Industry for the safe management of chemicals that has already begun with the Gazetting of the first list of 15 priority substances on February 3rd.

As part of its Chemicals Management Plan, Canada's New Government is challenging industry to provide the government with information about how they are safely managing 200 chemical substances. These substances were identified as high priorities for government action following the world-leading work by Canada on the systematic categorization of legacy chemical substances, which were announced December 8, 2006.

"The onus will be on industry to demonstrate that these chemicals are used in ways that do not pose a hazard to human health or the environment," explained Minister Clement. "We will use our regulatory powers to fill any gaps that may exist, and implement control measures for substances that are not being managed appropriately."

Through the Challenge to Industry, Canada's New Government will separate the 200 identified chemicals into batches of 15-30 substances and publish the lists in the Canada Gazette every three months. Industry will be required to take action and provide information on any of these substances in their possession within four to six months.

"Our government is taking real action to better protect Canadians because it is clear that chemical substances are increasingly making their way into our daily lives," said Minister Baird. "Industry needs to be accountable for its role in safely managing chemicals. If they are unable to provide evidence of safe management practices, we will require action that may include banning the use of substances that are harmful to the environment or human health."

The Government of Canada will use the information it receives from industry, along with the information it gathers from the world's scientific community, environmental and health groups, and the public to decide what actions are to be taken. After the information has been gathered and reviewed, the Government will render its decision on the need for further action within six months. The process to address all of the 200 chemical substances will take three years.

For more information on the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan and Challenge to Industry, including substances in the first batch, please visit: www.chemicalsubstances.gc.ca

The plan is part of the Government's comprehensive Environmental Agenda, which includes Canada's Clean Air Act, the ecoENERGY Initiatives, support for public transit and action on renewable fuels.