April 4th, 2022
The Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA) is criticizing a federal initiative to hold a series of workshops and interactive events for providing solutions to problems involving dangerous products. CPCA says "there is no substantive, verifiable data as to what those ‘solutions’ are meant to address." The Association's key point is that all these substances are already closely regulated.
"This is already being done via current and robust processes in place via the Chemicals Management Plan with extensive engagement of industry groups, civil society groups, one-on-one with industry, etc." CPCA said in a press release. "It is not clear as to who and why this robust system of chemical assessment has been questioned and what specific demands have been made to have more information on the chemicals in commerce beyond the comprehensive data already provided and used to make informed, risk-management decisions related to both human health and the environment."
The Association says it has been suggested that there is a growing need or demand by consumers for more information on chemicals in products they use. But it is unclear how strong those demands are, what chemicals are targeted, and the data supporting those demands.
"Of course, when asked every consumer will say they want safe products, which is completely understandable," the release observes. "It has been stated that Government has a difficult time getting all the information they require, yet there is already federal legislation that allows them to legally ‘demand’ industry data as needed, which industry must provide by law under various legislation as noted."
CPCA suggests that first it should be determined if the processes in place collecting volumes of substantive data under a long list of legislation and regulations is enough, and then to decide if it is worth creating a whole new apparatus, using more consultants and experts "to duplicate what is already in place and robust. Many policy areas of government are obviously linked in one way or another. Surely an array of federal government policies targeted at specific areas of concern cannot be the reason for creating more work and programs when those already in place suffice."