How to get Canada to adopt standards like those in EU?

Question

I am constantly frustrated that North America seems to always be miles behind the EU when it comes to issues like this (PBDEs, phthalates, chemicals in personal care products). Besides writing my political representative, is there anything else I can do? Ideas?

i.e.

REACH is a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use . It deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances.

The aim of REACH is to improve the protection of human health and the environment through the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic properties of chemical substances. At the same time, innovative capability and competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry should be enhanced. The benefits of the REACH system will come gradually, as more and more substances are phased into REACH.

The REACH Regulation gives greater responsibility to industry to manage the risks from chemicals

Answer 1

Get rid of the anti-environment U.S. govt.; put pressure on its Canadian counterpart.

Answer 2

Many Europeans think we are over-burdened with such regulations, that they are costing employers too much in bureaucracy and inspection / enforcement costs. We have the COSHH regulations for example (the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) which state that even the correction fluid next to your typewriter has to be chemically labelled, with a hazard sheet stating its harmful properties. If you put a couple of new sockets and a light in your house, here in England you have to have someone inspect it and certify that it is safe. In every workplace, whether office of factory or whatever, someone has to check that the kettle is safe, and the photocopier. The Working at Heights Regulations now include looking down a hole because you might fall down it (not joking). Many Europeans think this is bureaucracy gone mad and they resent it deeply but it certainly helps improve workplace safety and the environment. It's a question of getting the cost / benefit balance right.