On February 4, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and United States’ President Barack Obama announced the creation of the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) to better align the two countries’ regulatory approaches, where possible. On December 7, 2011, an RCC Joint Action Plan was published (http://actionplan.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?pageId=381) that sets out 29 initiatives where Canada and the United States will seek greater alignment in their regulatory approaches over the coming two years. “Regulatory Approaches to Nanomaterials” is one such item within this Joint Action Plan. On May 28, 2012, the RCC Nanotechnology Work Plan was finalized and posted on the web (http://www.eap.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?mode=preview&pageId=470). It was developed, with input from stakeholders, in order to share information and develop joint Canada–United States approaches on regulatory aspects of nanomaterials.  This will include developing consistent approaches to the risk assessment and management of nanomaterials, as well as sharing scientific and regulatory expertise.

Contact: Jennifer McCrank, 956-2394, Emerging Priorities Division, Nanothechnology section