The Bill S5 to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act CEPA 1999.

The Bill S5 was voted unanimously by Canada's House of Commons to be sent to the environment and Sustainable Development (Envi) committee. The Bill S5 is going to be amended to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) 1999.  The bill is expected to bring a watch list to the regulation which many in the industry believe could make the regulation unworkable and confusing. This watch list is designed for the chemicals with hazardous properties, amend procedures for confidential business information (CBI) claims, and recognize a right to a healthy environment. 

In summary the Bill S5 would bring the following updates and changes to the CEPA 1999:

1. More control on the elements with a significant activity, by bringing additional control measurement on these substances for example by changing the information and timeline submission process.

2. Giving more control to the Canadian government to add substances on the “In-Commerce List” (ICL) to the Domestic Substances List (DSL).

3. Giving The Canadian government to change or remove substances from the Domestic Substances List (DSL).

4. Develop and publish new risk assessment for existing substance to Strengthen chemicals management plan.

5. Setup and Implement a new framework for individuals to have the right to a healthy environment in Canada  under CEPA1999.

6. Bring new methods and standards to help and improve Information gathering.

In the following weeks the Minister of Environment and Climate Change would be invited to appear before the Envi committee to answer any question or concerns that they may have.