Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 21, 2019
Canadian Federal News
As a result of this screening assessment, the Government is proposing that MEK, MIBK, and 2,4-PD are harmful to human health, but not harmful to the environment. MPK, MIAK, DAA, diacetyl, 2,3-PD, acetoin, and MO are not proposed to be harmful to human health or the environment. Although some of these substances may be associated with health effects, the risk to human health is considered to be low at current levels of exposure.
Notice to Stakeholders – Release of Good Manufacturing Practices for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (GUI-0104) for Consultation. This revised guidance document contains new information. Plain language principles to make the document easier to read and understand have been considered in rewriting and formatting the document. It will continue to support compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Drug Establishment Licence requirements prescribed in Part C, Division 1A and Division 2 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR).
Health Canada has launched the Do if for a Healthy Home marketing campaign. The RDC Regulatory Affairs Committee will review and submit comments regarding improvements to the information on chemicals and pollutants that are referenced on the new site.
Reporting forms and instructions have been provided by Global Affairs Canada to assist members comply with annual reporting for the substances appearing on Schedule 3 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The list of substances includes precursors that member companies may be importing directly or in mixtures containing 25% or more. These include but are not limited to:
Ethyldiethanolamine CASRN 139-87-7
Methyldiethanolamine CASRN 105-59-9, and
Triethanolamine CASRN 102-71-6
The intent of this consultation is to seek your views for advancing informed substitution in Canada. Your input will help us as we explore ways to support informed substitution and drive Canadian innovation and the adoption of safer chemistry in future chemicals management efforts. Deadline is March 18, 2019.
The premier conference for those in the Canadian chemistry industry and its extended value chain. Join us May 1-2, 2019 – Hilton Lac-Leamy • Gatineau-Ottawa
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will be hosting two one-day webinar information sessions regarding the federal fuels regulations. One session will be offered in English and the other session offered in French. The webinar is intended for those individuals who were unable to attend the in-person information sessions that were scheduled at various locations throughout Canada in December 2018.
You’re invited to participate in a free webinar on biodiversity and the draft 2019–2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. Learn how the draft strategy will support progress toward Canada’s national biodiversity goals and targets! When: Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (EST)
Canadian Provincial News
Canada’s framework for interprovincial trade is patchy at best. While Canada has signed on to free trade agreements with countries around the world, there are significant barriers to the free flow of goods and services within our own borders. Studies have suggested that these interprovincial trade constraints cost the Canadian economy up to $130 billion every year — and may negatively impact international trade relations.
The Workers Compensation Act (Act) is being reviewed by British Columbia’s Office of the Legislative Counsel as part of a standard statute revision process. Changes made pursuant to the Statute Revision Act will result in editorial changes to language, as well as renumbering of sections, parts, and divisions of the Act.
This document is an overview of workplace health and safety activities in Ontario between April 2017 and March 2018. It is the annual report required to be provided by the Chief Prevention Officer’s (CPO) to the Minister of Labour under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It includes a measurement of the achievement of the goals established in Healthy and Safe Ontario Workplaces – A Strategy for Transforming Occupational Health and Safety and the activities of the Ministry of Labour Operations Division’s.
The audit report found that the claims management system framework adopted by WorkSafeNB is reasonable and that many of the policies are consistent with industry best practice. The report also found that WorkSafeNB has an opportunity to improve the medical treatment and return to work outcomes for injured workers. The Auditor General made 28 recommendations for improvement in three key areas:
- Reinforcing that “return to work” is a key part of the treatment plan for injured workers
- Reducing delays in the time to treatment through procedural changes and additional training
- Invest in a new claims management system to improve efficiencies and provide better management reporting
Effective on and after every April 1 beginning in 2019 and ending in 2021, the minimum wages for employees are fixed at the hourly rates calculated as per the Gazette II notice.
US News
OSHA’s civil penalties amounts for violations of workplace safety and health standards will increase in 2019 to adjust for inflation. The adjusted maximum penalty amounts will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register. New penalties for willful and repeat violations will be $132,598 per violation; serious, other-than-serious, and posting requirements are $13,260 per violation; and failure to abate violations are $13,260 per day beyond the abatement date.
Employers are reminded of their obligation to post a copy of OSHA’s Form 300A, which summarizes job-related injuries and illnesses logged during 2018. Each year, from Feb. 1 to April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements. Visit OSHA’s Recordkeeping Rule webpage for more information on recordkeeping requirements.
A former executive for Quebec engineering firm Dessau received a 12-month sentence, including 6 months of house arrest and 6 months under curfew, after pleading guilty today in the Court of Quebec to rigging bids for City of Gatineau infrastructure contracts.
International News
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation now contains 197 substances.
An organization is only as good as its people – which is why the workforce of a company is often one of its largest costs. But measuring the true return on that investment can be a tricky business. It just got a lot easier with the first International Standard for human capital reporting.
The 2019 revised Preamble to the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs is now available. The Preamble describes the objective and scope of the programme, the scientific principles and procedures used in developing a Monograph, the types of evidence considered, and the scientific criteria that guide the evaluations. The Preamble should be consulted when reading a Monograph or list of evaluations.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
Elysha Enos · CBC News · Posted: Jan 14, 2019 12:37 PM ET | Last Updated: January 14
Fire chief says faulty heating system appears to be source of toxic leak. Police, firefighters and ambulances rushed to Des Decouvreurs elementary school in Montreal’s LaSalle borough Monday morning, after dozens of children suddenly became ill. Montreal’s fire chief suspects a faulty heating system could be responsible for a carbon monoxide leak that sickened dozens of students and staff at an elementary school in the city’s southwest end on Monday.
First responders took 35 children and eight adults from Des Decouvreurs elementary school to at least three Montreal-area hospitals — the Montreal Children’s and Sainte-Justine hospitals, as well as the Royal Victoria Hospital.
- Doctor: No serious injuries after LaSalle school carbon monoxide poisoning
Nine students lost consciousness in the school, according to Montreal Children’s Hospital emergency room doctor Dominic Chalut.
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