The Canadian government is developing a new regulatory proposal aimed at strengthening the labeling and information disclosure requirements for potential health risks in consumer chemical products. These products include household cleaning products, adhesives, and paints, which are currently regulated under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR, 2001).
According to a Notice of Intent (NOI) published on July 11, 2023, Health Canada is seeking feedback from stakeholders on the proposed new regulations which will address specific health risks not covered by the current CCCR, 2001, such as carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and specific target organ toxicity.
After integrating feedback from stakeholders, Health Canada believes that fully adopting the risk-based Globally Harmonized System (GHS) framework to replace the existing CCCR, 2001 is the most appropriate approach. The new regulatory framework will introduce GHS-based hazard classification standards and information disclosure requirements, covering not only chronic health risks but also enhancing protection against acute health and physical hazards.
The core objective of the new proposal is to protect Canadians from Human Health Hazardous Chemicals (HHHOCs) by introducing new requirements and maintaining or enhancing existing measures against acute health and physical hazards. Additionally, the proposal will include specific ingredient disclosure requirements, as well as bans, restrictions, or child safety container requirements when necessary.
Furthermore, the new proposal also considers retaining certain requirements from the CCCR, 2001, such as the classification and information disclosure requirements for fast skin adhesives, as GHS does not yet provide guidance on how to classify and label this specific hazard.
To guide Health Canada's consultation strategy for the proposal, Health Canada is conducting a survey. Responses to the survey are to be submitted by November 22, 2024, to ccpsa-lcspc@hc-sc.gc.ca. The survey questionnaire can be found at the following link:
