Statement by Cassie Barker, Toxics Senior Program Manager, Environmental Defence
Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – We are pleased to see the announcement that the federal government intends to label hazards in products. This positive move comes after years of civil society efforts to encourage the federal government to follow through on its election promise to label harmful ingredients in consumer products.
Providing people with the safety information they need to avoid hazardous chemicals would be an important win for our right to know what we’re using on our bodies, in our homes, and in contact with our food.
While labelling hazards is an important measure, it is only part of the solution to getting toxics out of products. Carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxicants, and other hazards need to be prohibited in our consumer products, particularly those targeted at children. However, the first step is requiring companies to disclose the presence of these substances in their products. Experience in other jurisdictions shows that most manufacturers will reformulate their products to avoid having to add a warning label to their packaging. We look forward to a greener marketplace with less hazardous products on our store shelves.
Background information:
- Health Canada announced that it is “seeking comments on a proposed regulatory initiative that would introduce requirements for certain human health hazards of concern (HHHOCs) in consumer chemical products under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).”
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Paula Gray, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
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