1. NPSAC Steering Group on Product Safety ICPHSO 6 th International Meeting and Training Symposium Toronto ON, October 27 th, 2009

2. Background  Consumer products regulated under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) can include any product designed for household, garden or personal use in sports or recreational activities, as life-saving equipment or as a toy, plaything or equipment for use by children  Products not specifically listed in Schedule I of the HPA are considered “unregulated”  Electrical, gas and plumbing products have been regulated by the provinces and territories through adoption of the National Codes

3. Canada Consumer Product Safety Act  Covers all consumer products even where not specifically prohibited or regulated  CCPSA – general prohibition (including sale of recalled product), prohibition on counterfeit certification marks, requirements for mandatory reporting of incidents and ability to order recalls and other corrective action – would apply to electrical, gas and plumbing products that can be acquired by consumers  Currently undergoing review at Senate Social Affairs Committee

4. Issues and Opportunities  Currently no formal process for escalating safety issues with these products to the national level  P/Ts have no jurisdiction at import to prevent unapproved products from entering the county  Electrical Product Safety Regulations in Ontario with other provinces potentially considering similar requirements  CCPSA would overlap these provincial regulations making it unclear which authority has jurisdiction but would also harmonize requirements across Canada  CCPSA is applicable to all levels of trade but not CBs  Health Canada and P/Ts do collaborate on enforcement in other areas (e.g., WHMIS)

5. NPSAC SG on Product Safety  Steering group includes representatives from P/Ts, HC, CBs, CACES, IGAC, CACP, industry (CIPH, EFC, RCC, HRAI) + Consumers’ Association of Canada  Pilot project on electrical products  Propose alternatives for addressing electrical product safety nationally (e.g., F/P/T coordinated response; shared services organization)  Expand later to cover gas and plumbing products

6. Timeline  The Project was awarded to Peter Cameron and Associates. The team involved in project will consist of: Dr. Elizabeth Nielsen, Senior Associate Peter Cameron, B.SC. C.I.A., President Mario Simard, Member of Quebec Bar  The Contract was signed on May 12, 2009  Consultants have submitted a detailed work plan  Consultation document has been finalized  Interviews have started (hope to complete early 2010)  Analysis of data and development of options early 2010  Presentation of final report to NPSAC, Spring 2010

7. Consultation Document  From each stakeholder perspective: Identify the criteria and the critical elements that a national approach must address Verify the legislative and regulatory framework in each jurisdiction Document each stakeholder’s role in electrical product safety Identify costs of current approach Identify the benefits and challenges to establishing a national approach Comments on possible options for a national approach

8. In the Interim  ESA and Health Canada are in discussion on how to handle overlap of the Electrical Product Safety Regulations in Ontario and the CCPSA  Reduce confusion and burden to industry while ensuring electrical product safety in Canada  Continue to report electrical product safety incidents to ESA

9. For more information  Chair of NPSAC SG: Sandra Wright: sandra_wright@hc-sc.gc.ca