Montreal, 18 June 2012—Lead-acid battery recyclers, trade associations, community groups and nongovernmental organizations have responded to the call for comments on the research questions and key focus of the independent report being conducted by the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) concerning the transboundary movement and recycling of spent lead-acid batteries (SLABs) in North America.

On 8 February 2012, the CEC Secretariat announced that it had begun an examination into the environmental hazards and public and community health issues associated with the transboundary movement and recycling of SLABs in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

As of June 15, eight submissions were received and are now available for review on the Secretariat’s website: www.cec.org/slabs. Submissions range from company-specific perspectives on the structure and economics of the North American battery recycling industry, to analysis of Mexico’s legal and enforcement regime concerning the import and recycling of SLABS, to suggested recommendations to improve the environmental management in this sector.

The Secretariat thanks all submitters for their considered input, analysis, and opinions. Together with a continuing dialogue with stakeholders, citizens and officials, such information will enhance the quality and relevance of this study and report. It is anticipated that a discussion paper, encompassing key findings and preliminary policy recommendations will be circulated later this summer and will inform subsequent stakeholder and public discussion.

To review or download these submissions, or to read more about the CEC Secretariat report, visit the CEC website. To keep up-to-date with the latest information on this topic and other CEC activities follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.org/CECconnect) and Twitter @CECweb.

About the CEC

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an intergovernmental organization established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to implement the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side accord to NAFTA. The CEC supports cooperation among the NAFTA partners to address environmental issues of continental concern, including the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.

This initiative is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment, the Government of the United States of Mexico through the Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, and the Government of the United States of America through the Environmental Protection Agency.