ARCHIVED - Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials
This consultation is now closed. The revised Policy Statement is now available. Comments and suggestions received from this consultation on the draft version of the Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials were reviewed and considered in the finalisation of this document.
Health Canada is announcing the adoption of the Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials and its posting on the Health Canada website. The Interim Policy is effective immediately and comments on this policy statement are being collected so that it may be updated as necessary.
Currently, the Acts and Regulations administered by Health Canada have no explicit reference to nanomaterial. Among four key objectives, this policy statement establishes a transparent working means of identifying nanomaterials. It will also provide Health Canada with a consistent set of approaches across the department and a trigger to request information. Given the range of nanomaterial-related regulatory responsibilities at Health Canada, the working definition is intentionally broad and will be applied more specifically in each regulatory program area.
In preparing the Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials, Health Canada sought the informal feedback of some international stakeholders, industry trade groups, standards associations, and other Canadian federal departments.
How to Get Involved
This consultation is open for comment starting March 1, 2010 until August 31, 2010. Please select and read through the "consultation document" below. Comments and questions can be sent via e-mail, mail or by fax to:
Policy, Planning and Coordination Division
Science Policy Directorate
Strategic Policy Branch
1600 Scott Street - Tower B, Suite 410
Holland Cross, Address Locator: 3104A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Facsimile: 613-941-3007
Interested parties are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions by August 31, 2010.
Reporting to Canadians
Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this Web site. Health Canada will take further steps to illustrate how the policy statement will be applied in specific contexts. These steps could include guidance documents for specific products or substances, targeted workshops and postings of answers to frequently asked questions. The Interim Policy Statement on Health Canada's Working Definition for Nanomaterials will be updated as comments are received, as the body of scientific evidence increases, and as international norms progress.
If you have any questions, contact nanotechnologies@hc-sc.gc.ca.