Protecting human health and the environment is of paramount importance to Canadians. As such, the federal regulation and testing requirements for pesticides has been extensive, and today these chemicals are among the most data-rich in commerce. However, increased regulation around the world means there are thousands of chemicals that still need to be categorized and better understood. The challenge for scientists and regulators is how to achieve this in a timely, efficient and effective manner.
To better understand the challenges and opportunities related to chemical testing and regulation, the Council of Canadian Academies brought together a group of 15 eminent experts from Canada and the United States to discuss the scientific status of the use of integrated testing strategies in the regulatory risk assessment of pesticides.