As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance, we have made significant progress in reducing our use of chlorhexidine and its salts(CS). This work is guided by the five-year Environmental Performance Agreement (EPA) we signed with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), in effect from November 17, 2022, to November 16, 2027. For us, this agreement is more than a regulatory requirement—it reflects our long-term vision for responsible manufacturing and protection of the environments surrounding our facilities.

Our decision to reduce our CS use began with evolving federal requirements, but our approach has gone well beyond compliance. We committed to eliminating CS releases to the aquatic environment entirely and to capturing 100% of CS residue for certified third-party hazardous waste treatment. By doing so, we not only meet the government’s Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) limit of 210 ng/L—we surpass it. This effort demonstrates our belief that responsible operations are essential for the future of our industry.

“We believe that environmental responsibility is not just an obligation; it is part of who we are as a company. Our commitment to compliance reflects our broader mission to operate safely, ethically, and sustainably.” Khalid Moomand, Senior Managing Director, Agrisan

Since the agreement came into effect, ECCC has reviewed our progress through annual evaluation reports, documentation reviews, and on-site verifications. In both 2023 and 2024, the results confirmed that we met all risk-management objectives and implemented every required best management practice. ECCC inspectors verified that we no longer release chlorhexidine to the aquatic environment and that all CS residue is handled through documented third-party treatment. No corrective actions were identified, underscoring the strength of our internal systems.

Reaching this level of compliance required sustained effort. We refined our tank-cleaning processes to ensure no residual CS could enter our effluent, strengthened engineering controls to capture trace quantities, and updated internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reinforce safe handling and full containment. Our teams also dedicated significant time to improving analytical methods for detecting CS content in products, ensuring accuracy and traceability at every step.

Our commitment to environmental stewardship goes beyond our success with eliminating CA release but also translates into actively developing and bringing to the Canadian dairy market products that are safe for workers, animals, and the environment. This progress reflects our commitment to continuous improvement—and our responsibility to protect the environment while supporting the communities in which we operate.