ARCHIVED - Environmental Assessment Working Group

Health Canada and Environment Canada have partnered with external industry stakeholders, consumer associations, public health associations, environmental non-government organizations and the federal government to form the Environmental Assessment Working Group (EAWG).

The EAWG was created to provide broad and strategic advice on policy, technical, operational and regulatory issues to Health Canada and Environment Canada on the development of appropriate Environmental Assessment Regulations (EARs) for new substances contained in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and the revision, prioritization and management of substances on the In Commerce List (ICL).

The Environmental Assessment Regulations/In Commerce List Steering Committee (EAR/ICL Steering Committee) selected members to serve on the EAWG for a three year term. Membership was reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the mandate of the EAWG was adequately implemented.

The EAR/ICL Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the Environmental Impact Initiative (EII) Division, the In Commerce Substances Unit (ICSU) and the New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau (NSACB) of Health Canada, and the Program Development and Engagement Division (PDED) of Environment Canada. Members serve on a voluntary basis and are asked to participate in discussions based on their interests, areas of expertise, experience and knowledge.

The EAWG has two Co-Chairs: one appointed by the EAR/ICL Steering Committee to represent the Government of Canada and one non-government individual nominated by the EAWG. The Co-Chairs are responsible for chairing the EAWG meetings, communicating with the Secretariat, acting as a liaison between stakeholders and other government representatives, and acting as spokespersons on EAWG related activities.

The EAWG established other specialized subcommittees and technical groups to provide issue-specific, technical and scientific recommendations regarding the development of the Environmental Assessment Regulations and the revision, prioritization and management of the ICL. EAWG members were asked to assist in the establishment of these specialized subcommittees and technical groups. Members were asked to participate in these specialized subcommittees based on their expertise and to report back on preliminary recommendations and information as appropriate to the EAWG for discussion and subsequent action.

The Environmental Assessment Working Group Subcommittees

EAWG Subcommittee on the In Commerce List

The EAWG Subcommittee on the ICL is involved in developing the nomination process for the ICL and may be engaged in future discussions on technical issues regarding categorization and prioritization of the substances listed on the ICL.

EAWG Subcommittee 1: Class 1 Substances

The EAWG Subcommittee 1 provides specific recommendations to the EAWG regarding the information needed to conduct appropriate environmental assessments for medicinal ingredients.

EAWG Subcommittee 2: Class 2 Substances

The EAWG Subcommittee 2 provides specific recommendations to the EAWG regarding the information needed to conduct appropriate environmental assessments for non-medicinal substances.

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