Chemicals Assessment
This article was originally published in RAJ Devices
Executive Summary
Australia's recognition of Canadian chemicals rules to speed approval procedures
Australia's recognition of Canadian chemicals rules to speed approval procedures
An Australian decision to recognise Canadian regulations for new industrial chemicals is expected to streamline assessment and approval procedures for these substances in Australia1,2. The country's recognition of Canada's New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) as a world-renowned assessment system means that Canadian evaluations can be taken into account when new chemicals are being assessed and approved under Australia's National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).
For new chemicals notified to the NICNAS, the hazard evaluation in the Canadian assessment report will be used in the Australian assessment report. The NICNAS will carry out the remaining parts of the assessment and make recommendations on the safe use of the chemical in Australia. Guidance on the arrangements for the introduction of new chemicals that have already been assessed by Canada will be posted to the NICNAS website, www.nicnas.gov.au.
Those seeking assessment are expected to benefit from the move because Australia provides a fee discount where a report from a comparable Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development scheme applies.
The two countries' health departments have also signed a “statement of intent” to explore co-operation on risk assessment and management of existing chemicals. The signing took place during the Canada-Australia Health Policy Dialogue on 24 August 20073. One of the aims of the dialogue is for both countries to plan initiatives to improve risk management of existing chemicals, re-evaluate older pesticides and strengthen food and drug regulations.
This is the first time the countries' health ministers have met since signing a letter of intent in June 2007 to begin the dialogue. The agreement outlines mutual work they plan to undertake in the next four years in key areas such as timely access to healthcare, cancer prevention and control, and chemical safety.
References
1. Australian Department of Health and Ageing press release, 24 August 2007, www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr07-bm-mas038.htm
2. Health Canada press release, 24 August 2007, www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2007/2007_107_e.html
3. Canada-Australia Dialogue on Health, 24 August 2007, www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2007/2007_107_bg_e.html