Industry Supports Decision to Work Toward Common North American Regulations for Chemical Substances.

OTTAWA -- Three national consumer products industry associations from Canada and the United States (U.S.) said today they welcome and support the agreement reached between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. concerning North American regulatory risk-based assessment and management of existing chemical substances.

The agreement was formally announced on August 21, 2007, in Montebello, Quebec, as part of a meeting of the leaders of the three North American countries to discuss the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP).

The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA), the U.S. Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA), and the U.S. Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) indicated the agreement is the result of ongoing work in the area of the Regulatory Cooperation Framework under the SPP that will ensure coordination of regulatory processes, promote best practices, offer a forum to share information and keep the health and protection of consumers as a priority.

"We welcome this very timely decision," said CCSPA President Shannon Coombs. "Canada announced its own world-leading review of chemical substances late last year and we think this work can now be extended to include exploration of this new, North American-wide initiative that will further help to protect the citizens of each country and our environment."

Chris Cathcart, CSPA President, said, "The SPP aims for greater cooperation and information sharing between the three countries and will enhance our competitiveness in North America - it is a very positive step in that direction."

"This initiative makes a lot of sense, both for consumers and for industry," said Ernie Rosenberg, SDA President and CEO. "We need a credible chemical management system, harmonized with Canada and Mexico, to give the public confidence that our products are safe to use."

The Soap and Detergent Association represents over 100 manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry. SDA members produce more than 90 per cent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S.

The Consumer Specialty Products Association represents some 260 companies that manufacture, formulate, distribute and sell aerosol, air care, antimicrobial, cleaning, pest management, industrial, automotive, polish and floor maintenance products.

The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association represents Canada's consumer, industrial and institutional specialty products industry. Its mission is to enhance the ability of its 47 member companies to conduct business fairly, ethically and effectively by fostering industry cooperation, providing a national voice for communications and developing effective partnerships with governments, other stakeholders and the public.