U.S. and Canada Outline New Objectives for Regulatory Cooperation

The commitments identified in the new plan will now go to the relevant agencies for work on the details of implementation. Implementation of each objective should take place over the next three to five years, said the RCC’s plan. Highlights of objectives identified in the 2014 Joint Forward Plan are as follows:

Meat inspection and certification. The Food Safety and Inspection Service and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will work toward closer alignment between the two countries’ meat inspection policies and procedures, including electronic certification to streamline import and export processes, said the report.

Plant and animal health. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and CFIA will continue to align phytosanitary import requirements and work toward the use of inspections conducted by one country to inform decisions by the other country, said the RCC. APHIS and CFIA will also look to reduce inspection and certification requirements between the U.S. and Canada. APHIS and CFIA will also develop and implement electronic certification and delivery systems for animals and animal products, and collaborate on animal health requirements and assessments, it said.

Energy standards. The Energy Department and Natural Resources Canada will work to align their energy efficiency standards and test methods by sharing more information and cooperating on standard development and implementation, said the plan.

Vehicle emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada will continue work toward the development of aligned vehicle emissions standards.

Chemical regulation. The EPA, Environment Canada, and Health Canada will collaborate to harmonize chemical regulatory processes, said the RCC. That includes efforts to develop common approaches for regulatory reporting requirements for new uses of chemical substances, like Significant New Activity provisions and Significant New Use Rules (SNURs).

Food safety. The Food and Drug Administration and CFIA will finalize the assessment of each other’s food safety systems, and establish a mutual recognition arrangement based on the results, said the plan. The exchange of food safety information will be increased so each country can make better risk-based decisions. Also, as FDA and CFIA implement their new food safety rules and regulations, they will work together to avoid duplication, it said.

Biologics, drugs and devices. FDA and Health Canada will work to coordinate their regulations on biologics surveillance and inspection, over-the-counter product development, medical devices, and veterinary drug development, said the RCC.

Hazmat transportation. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and Transport Canada will harmonize their respective regulations on transportation of hazardous materials, said the plan. Objectives include aligning placarding requirements, mutual recognition of United Nations cylinders; mutual recognition of tank truck (cargo tank) standards; recognition of inspection under U.S. requirements for highway; and mutual recognition of conditions for One Time Movement Approvals explosives approvals.

Vehicle safety standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada will work to harmonize light and heavy motor vehicle safety standards. Initial priorities include side impact, ejection mitigation, and motorcycle brake systems, said the RCC.

Toy Safety. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada “reaffirmed their commitment” to work together to develop toy safety requirements, including through participation on the relevant ASTM International Toy Safety Subcommittee, said the RCC.

Next Steps

The RCC said it will host a conference sometime in the next three months in Washington, D.C. to gather stakeholder and government agency input on the plan. Within six months, the council will develop technical work plans detailing agency commitments, it said.