Chemical risk governance: Exploring stakeholder participation in Canada, the USA, and the EU

Abstract

Hazardous chemicals are one of the greatest environmental challenges facing our planet, testing governments in the face of economic and social development. Chemical risks are often complex systemic risks, which require particular governance processes, stakeholder participation mechanisms, and communication procedures to manage. In this article we explore how such processes, mechanisms, and procedures could offer more effective pathways for international chemical risk assessment and management. Combining document analysis with 69 key informant interviews and four focus groups with experts from across government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and industry in Canada, the USA and Europe (n = 24), the results highlight the importance of increasing stakeholder participation and risk communication in existing chemical risk assessment and management frameworks. Similarities and differences between the three jurisdictions are discussed with a view to inform future risk governance strategies. The contemporary insights are of relevance to decision-makers seeking to improve the effectiveness of chemical risk governance in practice.

Keywords: Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA); Chemicals Management Plan (CMP); Ecotoxicology; Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH); Regulatory science; Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA).