Associations Support Regulatory Joint Forward Plan

The Consumer Specialty Products Association, the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association and the American Cleaning Institute support the release of the joint Canada-United States announcement on the Regulatory Cooperation Council’s (RCC) Joint Forward Plan.

In 2011, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama announced the RCC and its first Action Plan with 29 specific regulatory issues for resolution. Given that our two countries have the most integrated economies in the world, the ability to collaborate on regulatory burden ultimately improves business on both sides of the border and enhances the prosperity of both countries. Our industries have seen specific success with an Action Plan initiative to harmonize the classification and labeling of workplace chemicals. It is a modern regulation that will be aligned with the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). By moving forward in a coordinated fashion with the US OSHA, worker protection will be strengthened and costs to industry will be reduced.

The Joint Forward Plan builds on this momentum and will look at sharing resources and scientific assessments with respect to chemical management.  Canada has a world leading chemical management program and by utilizing expertise on both sides of the border – industry and consumers all benefit.  Our associations are committed to working with regulators on this important initiative.

“The Action Plans set the tone for effective cooperation that will enable our industry to focus on streamlining government processes in a coordinated fashion. For CCSPA and our member companies, this is a positive step forward for consumer products that are manufactured in Canada and sold in the North American marketplace,” says Shannon Coombs, president, CCSPA.
CSPA President and CEO Chris Cathcart commented, “We are confident that our industry’s ability to compete in North America will be enhanced by the collaboration on these Plans.”

“These initiatives make a lot of sense, for industry and consumers,” said Ernie Rosenberg, ACI president and CEO.  “Our industry looks forward to the coordinated approach on chemical management.”

More info: www.trade.gov/rcc