N. American Enviro Ministers Advance Cooperation on Chemicals

(Washington, D.C. - Dec. 9, 2008) To strengthen the assessment and management of chemicals in North America, E.P.A. Administrator Stephen L. Johnson and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts have signed a statement of intent on North American chemicals cooperation. The statement affirms the commitments made by President Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America's Leaders' Summit in Montebello, Quebec, in August 2007.

"Chemicals are used everyday in all types of settings - from science labs to our homes," said E.P.A. Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "The more E.P.A. and our international colleagues know about the chemicals we use today, the more we can ensure a healthier, safer tomorrow."

To date, the U.S. and Canada have completed and made public screening assessments on hundreds of chemicals. Mexico has made progress in the design and development of its chemicals inventory. Under this cooperative effort, the U.S. committed, by 2012, to assess and initiate action, as needed, on in excess of 6,750 chemicals produced above 25,000 pounds a year.

So far, E.P.A. has posted assessments under its Chemical Assessment and Management Plan (ChAMP) on in excess of 150 high-production-volume chemicals - those manufactured or imported above one million pounds a year - and initiated follow-up action on several. E.P.A. also recently began posting assessments on moderate-volume chemicals, which are manufactured or imported at a level between 25,000 and one million pounds a year.

E.P.A. expects to accelerate the pace of the ChAMP assessments in 2009 and beyond. By sharing expertise and resources and setting priorities among the 3 countries, E.P.A. anticipates stronger protection for public health and the environment in North America.

More information on statement of intent and EPA's ChAMP efforts: http://www.epa.gov/champ

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