Canadians have the right to know about toxic chemicals in household cleaners. And yet, no Canadian law requires manufacturers to disclose the full list of ingredients in those products or warn about chronic health and environmental hazards.
In June 2011, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act became law, requiring Canada's Minister of Health to establish a committee that advises on labeling of consumer products and other related issues. But almost a year later, no committee has been convened. That's why we're calling on Minister Aglukkaq to convene this committee in time for the one-year anniversary of the new Act.
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This isn't just an issue of unfulfilled promises. Human health is at risk. Many cleaning products contain ingredients that have been associated with chronic or long-term hazards such as cancer, genetic defects, asthma, and infertility.
Health Canada already knows how to regulate ingredients; they do it for cosmetics. Manufacturers of personal care products have to list their ingredients on the package. So why not on cleaning products?
If the government needs a model, they should turn to Europe. Companies there must disclose ingredients in detergents and a new labeling system includes warnings about chronic and environmental health hazards.
Clearly, Canada needs to clean up its act.
The new Product Safety Act gives the government the authority to standardize ingredient listing for household cleaning products and broaden hazard labeling requirements as Europe has done. As a starting point, Minister Aglukkaq must convene an advisory committee on product labeling, as required under the act, without further delay.
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5 Comments
5:28 AM
Thanks for giving this information..I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I need to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
5:32 AM
I am trying to switch to all homemade cleaners. This post is definitely going to be Pinned and bookmarked so I can easily refer back to it! Thanks so much for all the useful tips.
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10:52 PM
Thanks for sharing this to us… although I'm not from Canada… I appreciate the actions about getting and refining best and safest cleaning products for homes or work spaces…. nice posts!
1:04 AM
I got so interested with the post.. Two thumbs up.. This fits me for what I am looking for. Smile!
6:46 PM
Hello there, I was wondering how the company Melaleuca stands in terms of enviromentally friendly products. I am seeking to encourage only those companies who are enviromentally responsible. I would appreciate your insight.Thx
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