Health Canada Announces Initiative for Food, Drug and Cosmetic Companies to Protect Existing Market Status

02 Nov 2011

Intertek Cantox offers solutions to help industry meet reporting requirements

Ontario, Canada - Intertek Cantox, a leading provider of scientific and regulatory consulting services, today announced its delivery of new services to help the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic industries take full advantage of Health Canada’s invitation to nominate existing ingredients to the Revised In-Commerce List (ICL). This Revised ICL is expected to form the basis of exemptions from the need to secure pre-market approval under the upcoming Environmental Assessment Regulations. These Environmental Assessment Regulations will trigger the need for independent approval of “new” ingredients under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act in addition to the current regulatory approval obligations under the Food and Drugs Act. The Revised ICL will be the basis upon which substances are deemed not “new.”

“Canada is taking a unique regulatory approach for assessing and managing the environmental and indirect human health impacts of substances in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act” states Joyce Borkhoff, Director of Intertek Cantox’s Chemicals Group. “In order to protect their existing market shares, the F&DA regulated industries should pay close attention to Health Canada’s initiative and act quickly to secure the ICL’s EAR exemption status.”

The key to success in securing the ICL advantage will be a clear understanding of product composition and ingredient identification. ICL nomination is open to finite chemicals, polymers, complex mixtures, botanicals, enzymes and micro-organisms that were in the Canadian market place between 1987 and 2001. The nomination period is expected to close February 2012 and non-resident stakeholders must submit their nominations through a Canadian agent.

Intertek Cantox’s specialized team of regulatory and scientific experts located in Mississauga, Ontario, have been closely tracking Health Canada’s ICL initiatives and EAR developments since this government interest was first announced in September of 1999. With this experience, the team is well positioned and ready to immediately deliver expert support to help companies protect the sustainability of their product lines in Canada.

For more information on Intertek Cantox’s Services, please visit: www.intertek.com/cantox. For further information on Intertek’s portfolio of Health, Environmental and Regulatory Services, please visit www.intertek.com/green.

For Market Inquiries:

Karen Levins
VP Strategic Business Development
Direct: +1 905.542.2900 ext. 254
Email: karen.levins@intertek.com

For Media Inquiries:

Cassie Biscanin
PR Manager, Intertek Group, Americas Region
Direct: +1 713.543.3775
Email: cassandra.biscanin@intertek.com

About Intertek
Intertek is a leading provider of quality and safety solutions serving a wide range of industries around the world. From auditing and inspection, to testing, quality assurance and certification, Intertek people are dedicated to adding value to customers' products and processes, supporting their success in the global marketplace. Intertek has the expertise, resources and global reach to support its customers through its network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and 30,000 people in over 100 countries around the world. Intertek Group plc (LSE: ITRK) is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
Visit: www.intertek.com

Intertek Cantox is part of Intertek Health, Environmental and Regulatory Services (www.intertek.com/green) which services cover an expansive range of specialized expertise in the areas of Food & Nutrition, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Chemicals, and Agriculture, Biotech & Consumer Products. For over 25 years, Intertek Cantox’ specialists have been helping companies resolve complex scientific and toxicology issues, develop scientific and strategic regulatory and compliance plans, and facilitate timely regulatory global approvals. Intertek Cantox’s professionals deliver success and minimize client risk through the company’s broad expertise and knowledge of the regulatory approval processes that govern food, drug, and cosmetic products in North America, Europe, and other jurisdictions around the world. For more information, visit www.intertek.com/cantox.