Paints and Coatings Working Group (PCWG)

Paints and Coatings Working Group (PCWG)

Canada began assessing chemicals in commerce in 2006 under the federal Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA 1999) under its Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). The federal government is now completing the 3rd phase of CMP and has launched the 4th phase to run over the next 5 years. It has already prioritized more than 1000 chemicals for risk assessment with more added in the months and years ahead. If a risk is determined to be too high or unmanageable, the substances could be banned from the marketplace or use restricted through risk management approaches such as regulations, codes of practice, pollution prevention plans, compliance agreements, etc. The key is for the industry to be fully engaged to understand how risk assessment works and what data the industry should provide to better inform the assessment for the best possible outcomes.

CPCA Supporting Members on CMP Compliance

CPCA and a long list of company representatives actively participate in the Paint and Coatings Working Group (PCWG), the first sectoral working group established with the Government of Canada in 2008 on issues impacting the CASE industry. The PCWG specifically focuses on specific implications of proposed and existing regulations for the paint industry in Canada, namely, VOC limits for three main coatings categories: Architectural, Auto Refinish, and Industrial, Commercial, Adhesives & Sealants. The PCWG meets twice annually with government officials to promote an improved understanding of the federal risk assessment and risk management priorities in relation to domestic substances now in commerce and regulations proposed for the future.

The PCWG strives to:

• Identify and provide direction on issues that need additional research and information gathering for risk assessors as well as directly providing technical
• Guidance on exposure scenarios used in the assessments
• Input on the development of risk management approaches to protect human health and the environment while minimizing the impact on CASE products
• Validate the government’s various approaches for short- medium- and long-term regulatory priorities, as they affect the CASE sector
• Co-chaired by Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and CPCA

When required, CPCA interfaces directly with senior officials of ECCC/HC/PMRA/RCC concerning specific unresolved issues of particular significance for the sector as identified by the PCWG. CPCA and PCWG members carefully undertake a holistic approach to monitoring, reporting, and engaging with governing bodies in support of fair, evidence-based, risk assessment.

Join this Committee!