Canada Takes Precautionary Action against BPA

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000546 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EEB, OES DHHS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL HEALTH AFFAIRS EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS STATE PASS FDA INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMERCE FOR 4310/MAC/ONA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD TBIO SENV EAGR EIND CA SUBJECT: Canada Takes Precautionary Action against BPA Ref Ottawa 538 ¶1. Summary: Canada announced it will take precautionary actions against bisphenol A (BPA),including a ban on the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles. The details will be published on April 19 in the Canada Gazette, and will be available for public comment until June 18. Official designation of BPA as a "Toxic" under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act may come in the autumn. Embassy anticipates continuing need for guidance requested reftel. End summary. ¶2. As expected, on April 18 Canada's Minister of Health, Tony Clement and Minister of the Environment, John Baird announced Canada will take "precautionary" actions to regulate bisphenol A (BPA),a chemical widely used in plastics. On April 19 the government will publish a proposed plan in the Canada Gazette I to manage the chemical, with the emphasis being a ban on the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles. The plan will be open for public comment from April 19 to June 18, 2008. According to technical experts from Health Canada and Environment Canada, after the public comment period there will be a four month period when the Minister of Health and Minister of Environment will jointly assess the additional information presented and make a final determination whether BPA should be listed as a "Toxic" substance under the CEPA, and whether the proposed ban should be implemented. Officials with the two ministries expect that it would take an additional six months after that (to accommodate administrative reviews, public comment periods and so on) before the ban could actually come into force. ¶3. Despite a very narrow product focus, this action by Canada (the first country in the world to invoke a health-related ban regarding BPA) may precipitate additional widespread public concern in both Canada and the United States. In anticipation of the official announcement, Wal-Mart Canada and other major retailers have pulled many plastic food containers, water bottles and baby products from their shelves. ¶4. Embassy will assess the detailed proposal for the ban after it is made available on Saturday April 19. We anticipate that media guidance as requested reftel will still be required. Wilkins