Health Canada is seeking comments on a proposal to introduce new regulatory requirements for certain health hazards in consumer chemical products under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
The CCPSA already helps protect Canadians from certain human health hazards of concern (HHHOCs) in consumer chemical products including acute toxicity, corrosivity (chemical burns, eye damage), flammability, pressurized containers that may explode if headed, and adhesives that bond to the skin.
However, that list is not comprehensive. The requirements do not include risk mitigation for the following hazards:
- carcinogenicity (may cause cancer)
- germ cell mutagenicity (heritable gene mutations)
- reproductive toxicity (adverse effects on sexual function, fertility, or developmental toxicity in offspring)
- specific target organ toxicity (adverse effects on target organs after single or repeated exposure)
- respiratory or skin sensitization (allergic reactions or hypersensitivity)
The requirements that apply to specific consumer chemical products are dictated by a scientific assessment of the hazards posed by the substances contained in the product against the classification criteria that are established in the regulations.
As part of the new requirements, Health Canada proposes to introduce new classification criteria, information disclosure requirements for labels (including hazard symbols and signal words like “Danger” or “Warning”, hazard statements like “May cause cancer”, precautionary statements like instructions for safe use and first aid, and ingredient disclosure requirements), and additional protections like prohibitions, restrictions and child-resistant containers where necessary.
Interested stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and retailers, have until Oct. 9, 2023 to provide their feedback.
View the Notice of Intent and feedback questionnaire here.
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