ARCHIVED - Best Management Practices

The Best Management Practices (BMPs) section of the Environmental Impact Initiative (EII) Division is dedicated to researching existing BMPs that reduce the release of Food and Drugs Act products into the environment during their complete lifecycle and to suggest improvements or the development of appropriate BMPs for the products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act. Generally, BMPs are non-regulatory initiatives such as guidelines, environmental stewardship programs and standards of practice.

Products in the following commodities are included within the scope of this mandate:

  • biologics
  • cosmetics
  • food additives
  • medical devices
  • natural health products
  • novel foods
  • pharmaceuticals
  • radiopharmaceuticals
  • veterinary drugs

The first step involved in developing BMPs is extensive research. This includes reviewing existing Canadian and international BMPs. The EII is gathering this information to determine potential ways to improve or, where necessary, develop new BMPs. The EII currently keeps the Environmental Assessment Working Group (EAWG) informed of the research progress.

The research focuses on determining how Food and Drugs Act products enter into environmental systems, the potential environmental and indirect human health impacts of these products, and existing initiatives to reduce environmental exposure, environmental impacts and indirect human health impacts from these products.

At the moment, research is ongoing and has not been finalized. Once the research has been completed for all of the commodity groups and using the information gathered through research, the EII will engage in consultations with provincial, territorial and municipal governments; industry; environmental non-governmental organizations; and consumer associations to further analyze the need for new or improved BMPs for each Food and Drugs Act commodity group.

Finalized Research

  • F&DA [Food and Drugs Act] Environmental Assessment Regulations Project Benchmark Survey Assessment of the general public awareness, attitudes, knowledge and behaviours related to the disposal of products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act and their potential environmental impact.
  • Pharmaceutical Disposal Programs for the Public: A Canadian Perspective Description and assessment of existing pharmaceutical disposal programs for the public across Canada and internationally. For more information about this document, contact us.

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