International Joint Commission

The International Joint Commission (French: Commission mixte internationale) is a bi-national organization established by the governments of the United States and Canada under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. Its responsibilities were expanded with the signing of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1972 (later amended 1987 and 2012). The commission deals with issues affecting the extensive waters and waterways along the Canada–United States border.

A six member commission, it has multiple sub-commissions, which deal with particular sections of the border-waters, or topics, and a technical staff to organize and inform task-forces.

In a report published in January 2025, called on the U.S. and Canadian governments to take action to monitor microplastics in the lakes, and to designate microplastics a "chemical of mutual concern". Scientists in the group's advisory board would like to see new policies to help reduce plastic production and consumption. They also recommend individual actions such as single-use plastic products, and installing filters on washing machines and dryers so that plastic fibers are not released with wastewater.