Chemicals are used to make the products we use every day, from clothes and furniture to toys, cars, buildings, and even the food we eat. Chemicals play an important role in our quality of life but some can be harmful to our health and the environment, especially when improperly used or poorly managed at any stage in their life cycle.

Historically, in North America and around the world, the way we characterize and manage some chemicals as harmful or toxic has at times been haphazard, often determined only after a chemical was found to pose a risk to human health or the environment. Canada, Mexico and the United States have established cooperative initiatives through the CEC to reduce the risks of chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment in North America. These initiatives have supported the implementation of international agreements that address the assessment process for chemicals and improve their management worldwide.