Environment committee  From the downstream user's perspective, Madam Chair, we are very engaged in making sure that the best science available is brought to bear in the risk assessments. As Darren alluded to, the substance D5 had a rigorous scientific review, and new science was developed and brought to that process.

Environment committee  There are some differences in how the programs work. Industry does work collaboratively, I would say, on a North American basis. In my opinion, Madam Chair, the EU program is different because you have a registration process, which has been quite costly and cumbersome. I think there has been such an influx of registrations that the EU is having a hard time deciding what the priorities are.

Environment committee  CCSPA announced our voluntary ingredient initiative in 2008. One of the things we were looking for was to provide more meaningful information to consumers who were looking for information about the ingredients. So we launched this program, and then amended it in 2010 to increase its scope from intentionally added ingredients to preservatives, dyes, and fragrances.

Environment committee  Good morning, members of Parliament. It's a pleasure to be here today to provide our perspective on the committee's review of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. My name is Shannon Coombs. I am the president of the Canadian Consumer Speciality Products Association. For 18 years, I have proudly represented the many accomplishments of this proactive and responsible industry.

Environment committee  Imagine under your kitchen sink—

Environment committee  Thank you very much. We represent soaps and detergents, domestic pest control products, aerosols, hard surface disinfectants, deodorizers, and automotive chemicals—as I call it, everything under the kitchen sink or in your garage. We are the downstream users of chemicals, as our products are generally based on the chemistry developed by the upstream companies who were represented here at your last meeting on CEPA.

Health committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, and honourable members of the committee. It is a pleasure to be here today to provide CCSPA’s perspective on your review of the Pest Control Products Act. My name is Shannon Coombs and I am the President of the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association.

Government Operations committee  I'm sorry if it was unclear in my presentation, Mr. Chair. No, what we were talking about is the GHS, and that the one-for-one rule doesn't apply to this new classification on labelling because it's a regulation that's changing all of the labelling and safety data sheets. It's not an administrative burden, so it doesn't fall within the scope of the legislation.

Government Operations committee  It is the cost of business. We would like the scope of the bill increased, but it's one step at a time. We're quite happy with the way it's written now so that we can start to change the systems.

Government Operations committee  One of the outcomes of the action plan has been the forward regulatory plans, and from a business perspective we find them very helpful. It's a very clear, transparent, public notice; here are the regulations that are coming in the next two years from the department. It also provides us with a perspective that we are not the only ones, that there are others, and so there are going to be a lot of constraints on the department for the development of those regulations.

Government Operations committee  Mr. Chair, I think one of the best examples we have is the GHS, even though the one-for-one rule doesn't apply to it. That is where we are changing all of the safety data sheets and the labels on our products for chemicals that are used in the workplace. Through that process, we are ensuring that we can facilitate trade on a North American basis, but we are also enhancing worker safety.

Government Operations committee  I'm more on the up end, and I can't speak to an example of someone who interacts with a pharmacist. I could give you an example on the pre-end.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for question, Mr. Chair. As I said earlier, I don't see there's a compromise being made. I think we're able to ensure that the health and safety of Canadians, and our environment are protected, but also keep business competitive. I think that earlier, what Ms. Jones had said with respect to this as one tool, I mean, there's a lot of things that are going on within the government, looking at the Regulatory Cooperation Council, looking at all the different things under the red tape reduction plan, such as the joint forward plan, is all part of a tool kit to help businesses, and I see this legislation as putting that into effect and being able to solidify that so that the policy is now law.

Government Operations committee  Thank you for the question, Mr. Chair. With respect to what our members are challenged with, some of it centres around the one window and trying to find a single window for your submissions to be sent to the government with respect to pre-market notification or pre-market assessments of our products.

Government Operations committee  With respect to the benefits that we're seeing, the scorecard is a very good first step to reflecting some of the first wave of regulations that the government was looking at to assess. From a metric standpoint, it's a really good review indicator of the potential that we have with respect to the policy.