The Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) Process Safety Management (PSM) Division, with representation from the chemical and oil industry, government, and some other interested parties, concluded that there is no guideline commonly recognized by the chemical industries in Canada for conducting environmental/ecological risk assessments (ERA) involving postulated acute chemical/energy product spills from facilities of interest. These facilities would include those that produce, process, store, distribute, handle, or transport chemicals or energy products. This paper explains the need for this type of guideline in Canada. It will also describe the expertise and stakeholder representation involved in order to optimize credibility and acceptance. Furthermore, it will include information on a proposed scope, objectives, and content for a prospective environmental risk assessment guideline, with an exclusive focus on acute chemical spill events involving fixed and transportation sources. This guideline will also support elements of the proposed CSA Standard on Process Safety Management (PSM).