The Canadian and American governments have committed to increasing the level of regulatory cooperation between the two countries with the release of the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) Joint Forward Plan. The plan sets the stage for fundamental changes in the way regulatory departments and agencies in both countries work together, making it easier for businesses to operate in both countries. Building on the RCC Joint Action Plan launched in December 2011 by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama, the joint forward plan will deepen Canada-U.S. regulatory cooperation through new bi-national processes and partnerships. It includes specific commitments to align 24 areas of regulatory business, including energy efficiency and the use of natural gas in transportation. It will also open the door for discussion on other areas of regulatory cooperation that could be initiated and to prevent misalignments.
For more information on regulatory cooperation, see Setting the standard HVACR, plumbing industries lead harmonization charge by Patrick Callan in HPAC March 2014.
