Location: Ministry Home > About the Ministry of the Environment > Environmental Sciences and Standards Division

Environmental Sciences and Standards Division

135 St. Clair Ave. W.
14th floor
Toronto ON M4V 1P5
Tel: (416) 314-6357
Fax: (416) 314-6358

The Environmental Sciences and Standards Division (ESSD) provides the best available science and technology to support decisions about the natural environment, and implements those decisions by developing and managing programs and partnerships, setting scientifically credible standards, monitoring the environment and providing valuable analytical and scientific expertise. Programs such as Drive Clean, that improve the environment and increase public awareness, are central to the ministry's efforts to strengthen environmental protection.

This division provides these services through its five branches: Environmental Monitoring and Reporting, Standards Development, Laboratory Services, Environmental Innovations and Emerging Sciences Branch and the Drive Clean Office.

• Laboratory Services Branch
• Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch
• Standards Development Branch
• Drive Clean Office
• Environmental Innovation and Emerging Sciences Branch
• Transboundary Air Unit

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Laboratory Services Branch

125 Resources Rd.
Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6
Tel: 416-235-5743
Fax: 416-235-5744

The Laboratory Services Branch provides analytical support for the ministry's environmental monitoring and regulatory programs. It provides analytical method development, supports standard setting and ensures the data quality of ministry compliance, enforcement and emergency analytical testing.

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Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch

125 Resources Rd.
Etobicoke ON M9P 3V6
Tel: 416-235-6300
Fax: 416-235-6235

The Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch delivers a comprehensive framework of programs to monitor, assess and report on the quality of the natural environment in support of the ministry's mandate to safeguard healthy ecosystems and human health.

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Standards Development Branch

40 St. Clair Ave. W.
7th Floor
Toronto ON M4V 1M2
Tel: (416) 327-5519

The Standards Development Branch is responsible for: developing and promulgating environmental standards to protect both human and ecosystem health and the quality of the natural environment; providing toxicological advice and diagnostic services on environmental contaminants and pesticides; assessing the performance of new and emerging environmental technologies and promoting technology transfer; administering the Pesticides Act and providing direction on the responsible use of pesticides in Ontario.

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Drive Clean Office

40 St. Clair Ave. W.
4th floor
Toronto ON M4V 1M2
Tel: 416-314-5856
Fax: 416-314-4160

The Drive Clean Office is responsible for the development, implementation and administration of Drive Clean, Ontario's motor vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program for passenger and heavy duty vehicles. The Drive Clean Office has implemented the program through a number of contracts with private sector companies and facilities to carry out emission tests and/or repairs. The office also works closely with the SWAT Team - Vehicle Emissions Enforcement Unit (the Smog Patrol), Investigations and Enforcement Branch and the Ministry of Transportation.

Details of the Drive Clean program are available on the ministry's website at www.driveclean.com Or contact the call centre at 1-888-758-2999.

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Environmental Innovation and Emerging Sciences Branch

40 St Clair Ave W
14th Flr
Toronto ON M4V1M2
General Inquiry: 416-314-0713
Fax: 416-314-0251

The Environmental Innovations and Emerging Sciences Branch (EIESB) promotes innovation within the Ministry by bringing together expertise in environmental management, best practices and environmental sciences.

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Transboundary Air Unit

135 St. Clair Ave. W.
3rd Floor
Toronto ON M4V 1P5
Tel: (416) 314-0713
Fax: (416) 314-9583

The Transboundary Unit is responsible for carrying out the government’s Transboundary Air Strategy.  The key elements of the Strategy are the following: Providing Strategic Advice and Enhanced Science to Shape Public Policy; Partnerships Through Dialogue with neighbouring jurisdictions; Legal Interventions in the United States; and Communications and Public Education.  The Unit has also been responsible for organizing the annual Premier’s Shared Air Summit (www.sharedair.ca).