REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 13, 2023

• Request for comments on Guidelines on the Use of Technology to Provide Food Information

These guidelines apply to food information that is accessed using technology via a reference on a prepackaged food’s label or labelling. For the purposes of this document, technology refers to any electronic or digital means, such as websites, online platforms and mobile applications.

• Approaches to Support Alternatives Assessment and Substitution of Chemicals of Concern

This document summarises approaches used to support alternatives assessments and substitution by countries and lessons learned. It is the second edition of the report and is based on responses received to a questionnaire as well as discussion from the 2022 OECD Workshop on Government Approaches to Incentivise Substitution. In addition, the document summarises third-party approaches to substitution and economic approaches to incentivise substitution, which are further elaborated in other documents also discussed at the workshop. Links to the topics of innovation and safe and sustainable by design are also drawn.

• 100 new safety test methods approved

The European Commission has adopted some 100 new and updated test methods for the regulatory safety testing of chemicals under REACH. Under these new rules, internationally approved methods (e.g. OECD test guidelines) for the new test methods are referred to directly in the regulation.

• Guidelines for recycled plastics in food packaging

These guidelines will assist recyclers, manufacturers and sellers of plastic materials in determining the acceptability and use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in food packaging applications. The applicable ISO 14021: 2016 standard defines PCR material as a material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities, including returns of a material from the distribution chain.

• Hazard assessment and control: a handbook for Alberta employers and workers

This resource gives a step-by-step approach to formal hazard assessment that employers can customize to suit their business operations. This is a best practice document. It also introduces hazard assessment, elimination and control requirements in the OHS Code.

• British Columbia rescinds mandatory vaccination policy for public servants

As of April 3, 2023, BC Public Service employees will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

• Saskatchewan to remove winter weight restrictions this month

Winter weights are being removed effective Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at midnight (12:01 a.m.). Any existing winter weights will be removed and revert back to regulation weight.

• Ontario Helping Address Supply Chain Shortage of Fertilizer

Following consultations with farmers and the agri-food sector, Ontario launched the Fertilizer Challenge to address ongoing supply chain challenges, while promoting innovation in the province’s agri-food sector.

• Prince Edward Island starts spring weight restrictions

Spring weight restrictions for Island roads will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. Weight restrictions help to reduce damage to – and preserve the province’s investment in – Prince Edward Island’s highway network. The department appreciates the cooperation of the trucking industry in complying with weight restrictions and road postings…

• Proposed Rule: Voluntary labelling of FSIS-regulated products with US Origin claims

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) s proposing to amend its regulations to define the conditions under which the labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products, as well as voluntarily inspected products, may bear voluntary label claims indicating that the product is of United States origin.

• Register for Part Two of EPA’s Webinar Series on Reviewing Mixed Metal Oxides

Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. EDT for the second of a two-part webinar series on EPA’s new standardized process to assess risk and apply mitigation measures, as appropriate, for mixed metal oxides (MMOs), including new and modified cathode active materials (CAMs).

• Proposed Rule for broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is extending the comment period for its January 5, 2023, Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposing rules to regulate broker and freight forwarder financial responsibility in five separate areas: Assets readily available; immediate suspension of broker/freight forwarder operating authority; surety or trust responsibilities in cases of broker/freight forwarder financial failure or insolvency; enforcement authority; and entities eligible to provide trust funds for form BMC-85 trust fund filings. Comments must be received on or before April 6, 2023.

• New Safety Alert Focused on the Potential Hazards of Emergency Discharges from Pressure Release Valves

Washington, D.C. March 6, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) issued a new Safety Alert titled “Hazards Posed by Discharges from Emergency Pressure-Relief Systems.” The CSB’s alert highlights hazards identified with emergency pressure-relief systems from four CSB investigations.  The alert advises facilities that while a discharge from emergency pressure-relief systems can help protect equipment from unexpected and undesired high-pressure events, it can also seriously harm or fatally injure workers and cause extensive damage to a facility if the discharge is not made to a safe location.

• China is collecting public comments on five food additives

(CIRS) China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued five food additives for public comment, including:

– two new food enzymes;

– one new food nutrition enhancer;

– one food additive with expanded scope; and

– one food nutrition enhancer with expanded scope and dosage.

The deadline for public comments is March 8, 2023.

• New guidance helps analyse alternatives to biocidal active substances

The guidance helps companies and authorities analyse alternatives to biocidal active substances that meet the substitution criteria under the Biocidal Products Regulation. A new template to report the analysis is also available.

• Europe launches consultation on harmonized classifications for a number of borates

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a consultation for comments on the harmonised classification and labelling proposals for a range of borate substances. The deadline for comments is May 5, 2023.

• Restriction of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under REACH

Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have proposed a REACH restriction to address the risks to the environment and human health from the manufacture, placing on the market and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).

Safety Share

• Free Webinar Explores How Climate Change Affects the Workplace

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is hosting a free webinar, Climate Change: Workplace Impacts to explore how climate change affects both our physical and mental health and safety in the workplace.

Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected].

• Chemcon the Americas 2023 March 13-17, 2023 – San Francisco

ChemCon The Americas 2023 is a global platform which brings together many experts representing companies, authorities and international organisations from over 25 countries. Presentations given by more than 50 speakers from governments and industry will focus in the field of international chemical legislation all over the world, like TSCA, EU-REACH, K-REACH, GHS and country specific information on inventories, labelling requirements, etc.

• Webinar on climate change and work – March 22, 2023 – 2:30 pm ET

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is hosting a webinar to discuss climate change and its impacts on people in the workplace.

• Petrochem West – March 29-30, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

PetroChem Canada West brings together the western Canadian petrochemical, chemical, emerging biochemical manufacturers together with their supply chain and multiple levels of government to discuss the opportunities to expand and further develop a sustainable downstream sector in Alberta.

• GlobalChem Returns to Washington, DC April 3-5, 2023

Now in its 36th year, GlobalChem remains the chemical industry’s premier policy and regulatory conference. This annual gathering of industry professionals offers a valuable opportunity to not only review recent developments in global chemicals management but to also meet and reconnect with your industry peers and key government representatives.

• NYSCC Suppliers’ Day May 2-3, 2023 – New York City

The New York Society of Cosmetics Chemists will hold its Suppliers’ Day on May 2-3, 2023 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

• Bakery Showcase Trade Show & Conference – May 14-15, 2023 – Vancouver, BC

Take this opportunity to mark in your calendars next years Bakery Showcase, May 14, 15 2023 in Vancouver BC.

• REACH Conference 2023 – May 22-23, 2023 – Bratislava, Slovakia

Ekotox Centers together with partners and representatives of Cefic, Eurometaux, EPMF are all kindly willing to participate on the REACH Conference Bratislava 2023.

• New Approach Methodologies workshop – May31 – June1, 2023

The workshop will be an opportunity to bring stakeholders together and develop a common understanding of what new approach methodologies (NAMs), can achieve in the short and long term.

• Petrochem East – June 20-21, 2023 – Sarnia, Ontario

Over two days delegates will come to learn from dozens industry leaders and technical experts about the exciting opportunities within Canada’s downstream sector.

• ChemEdge 2023 – August 16-18, 2023 – The Woodlands, Texas

ChemEdge 2023 is bringing supply chain professionals all along the chemical distribution industry together to share best practices and business solutions.

• The CCOHS Forum is Back -September 26-27, 2023 – Halifax, NS

There is no other health and safety event like this in Canada. Make a plan to join us for this two-day national event that will bring together leaders, change makers, and subject experts representing government, labour, and workplaces, to share their knowledge and experience around current and emerging health and safety issues.