Canada and the United States recently identified eight substances as chemicals of mutual concern under the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Following a comprehensive review, the first batch of chemicals to be designated "of mutual concern" are:

• hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD);
• polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs);
• perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA);
• perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS);
• long-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids (LC-PFCAs);
• mercury;
• polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs);
• short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs).

Once a chemical has been designated, Canada and the United States are bound to develop and implement strategies to address the chemical, reporting every three years on its status.