VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics (ARET)

ARET (Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics) is a challenge program which aims to reduce or eliminate emissions of toxic substances quickly through voluntary actions. ARET targets 117 toxic substances including 30 that persist in the environment and bioaccumulate in living organisms. Launched in 1994 by a multi-stakeholder committee consisting of representatives from industry, health and professional associations and the federal and provincial governments, ARET continues to achieve progress in reducing emissions of the worst toxic substances, thus reducing overall risk to human health and the environment. ARET substances are categorized into five groups:

• List A-1 (30 substances) meet persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) criteria (target is 90% reduction by 2000). The 14 substances on List A-1 include PAHs, nitro-PAHs, chlorinated organics, metal compounds and PCBs, most of which are PTSs or could become PTSs.
• List A-2 (2 substances) consensus was not reached on whether these substances meet PBT criteria (target is 'best efforts' reduction by 2000)
• For 85 less hazardous substances (on ARET's B lists), ARET seeks to reduce emissions to levels that are insufficient to cause harm, with a short-term reduction of 50% by 2000.

By the end of 1997, 303 facilities from 9 major industrial sectors representing over 40% of Canada's total industrial production were reporting to ARET. As of December 1997, participants had reduced their emissions by 24,090 tonnes. This represents a 64% overall reduction from base-year levels. Reduction targets for all ARET categories except list A-1 were achieved or surpassed four years prior to the year 2000. Additional reductions in the year 2000 are expected to bring total reductions to 29,262 tonnes or 78% from base year levels.

The Responsible Care/National Emissions Reduction Masterplan

The National Emissions Reduction Masterplan (NERM) is part of the Canadian Chemical Producer's Association's (CCPA) "Responsible Care Initiative". NERM requires member companies to set emission reduction targets for many chemicals, several of which are PTSs, and to report progress on meeting the targets. The 1997 NERM report notes that overall emissions of known and probable carcinogens to all media declined by 22% from 1996 levels. Emissions of group 1 substances (carcinogenic to humans) and group 2A substances (probably carcinogenic to humans) have decreased by 325 tonnes (or 33%) and 220 tonnes (or 45%) respectively when compared to the 1992 base year. CCPA members are projecting a further 34% reduction in group 1 and 2A substance emissions by the year 2002. This reduction would mean a 79% decline in emissions of carcinogens since 1992, a total of 2,100 tonnes.