REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF MAY 13, 2019

• Draft binational screening criteria for nominated chemicals of mutual concern

The federal government, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, is asking interested agencies, organizations and individuals to provide comments on the draft screening criteria for nominated chemicals of mutual concern. The draft screening criteria can be found under Annex 3 on binational.net.

• Draft binational strategy for short-chain chlorinated paraffins risk management public review

The federal government, through Environment and Climate Change Canada, is asking interested agencies, organizations and individuals to provide comments on the draft binational strategy for short-chain chlorinated paraffins risk management. The strategy can be found under Annex 3 on binational.net. The feedback will be used to finalize this strategy.

• Certain Organic Flame Retardants Substance Grouping

Four final screening assessments and two final state of the science reports for certain organic flame-retardant substances were published. Publication in Canada Gazette of

the final screening assessment decisions under subsection 77(6) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) for DP, TCP, EBTBP and DBDPE the final state of the science reports for ATE, TBB and DBDPE the proposed risk management approaches for DP and DBDPE

and start of a 60-day public comment period on the proposed risk management approaches.

• Gas Oils and Kerosenes

The Draft Screening Assessment for Gas Oils and Kerosenes was published for a 60-day public comment period ending on July 10, 2019.  On the basis of the findings of the draft screening assessment conducted as per CEPA, the Ministers propose to recommend that gas oils and kerosenes with aromatic contents of 20% by weight or greater be added to the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Act.

• After Screening Assessments, final decisions and results of investigation published

A number of notices were published in the Canada Gazette I this past weekend.

• After screening assessment of 42 substances
• Final decision on one substance, and
• Publications of results of investigations for 6 substances (see above flame retardants)

• International Road Check invitation

You are invited to attend International Roadcheck 2019 to observe vehicle and driver inspections being conducted at Truck Inspection Stations/inspection sites at various locations across the province. Please contact Suzanne Provost for more information – [email protected]

• Canadian Government Requires More Durable Tank Cars For Certain Dangerous Goods

Hazmat shippers now are required to move toxic inhalation-hazard substances in tank cars constructed of normalized steel that undergoes a heat treatment process to increase durability and resistance to cracking at low temperatures. Toxic inhalation hazard substances include chlorine, anhydrous ammonia and certain fertilizers.

• Incorporating organic import requirements into the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS)

The organic import requirements in Part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations will be incorporated into the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS).

To implement the import requirements into AIRS, CFIA will use a phased-in approach which will involve creating new commodity identifiers (OGD extension codes) for organic products by commodity type.

• Bill C-98 – Independent review of the Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ensures Canada’s security and prosperity by facilitating and overseeing international travel and trade across Canada’s border. Currently, complaints about conduct and the service provided by CBSA officers are handled internally.

• Ontario Introduces Speed Limit Pilots and Consultations

The Ontario Government is exploring new ways to improve traffic flow and safety on provincial highways by introducing three speed limit pilots on select highways. At the same time, Ontario’s Government for the people will launch province-wide consultations on how to safely increase highway speeds to align with other provinces, and how people currently drive.

• Multiple convictions for Ontario employer lead to jail time

A worker was observed by a Ministry of Labour inspector working on a pitched roof without wearing fall protection as required by law. Fall protection contraventions are considered to be one of the ‘killer contraventions’ within the Province of Ontario and are treated extremely seriously by the Ministry of Labour. Following a guilty plea in Belleville court, Justice of the Peace Christopher I. Peltzer sentenced Steven Bell to 7 days’ incarceration.

• List 3 China 301 Tariffs Increasing In Duty from 10% to 25%

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced Wednesday, May 9 that the “List 3” China 301 Tariffs would be increasing in duty from 10% to 25% effective Friday, May 10.

The tariff increase is only effective for goods exported on or after 12:01 AM, May 10. Goods exported prior to May 10 will therefore be subject to the previous 10% duty rate. All products exported before May 10 will be subject to the 10% duty as long as they enter the U.S. prior to June 1, 2019.

• US proposes list of European products that may be subject to tariffs

The USTR’s preliminary product list is based on the eight-digit US Harmonised Tariff Schedule subheading for imports from the European Union. The list is divided into two sections:

• Section 1 contains a number of products in the civil aviation sector (eg, aircrafts, helicopters and parts) and applies only to products imported from four EU member states: France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom.
• Section 2 contains 318 tariff lines and applies to all 28 EU member states. Section 2 contains, among other things, animal and vegetable products, prepared food, beverages (including wine) and textile products.

• New method quickly screens chemicals for cancer-causing potential

Scientists developed a fast, accurate, and cost-effective way to assess whether a chemical is potentially carcinogenic. The work involved a collaboration between researchers at the National Toxicology Program (NTP), Boston University, and the Broad Institute. Funded in part by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP), the study was published April 9 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

• EPA’s Computational Toxicology Chemicals Dashboard is a one-stop-shop

Information is now available on chemistry, toxicity, exposure and bioactivity data for thousands of substances. EPA scientists have recently released an update to the online Dashboard. The latest version adds 110,000 chemicals and associated data, bringing the total number of chemicals to 875,000.

• Antimicrobial resistance policy review and development framework

A regional guide for governments in Asia and the Pacific to review, update and develop policies to address antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use in animal production.

• New standard helps SMEs get ahead with ISO 14001

Implementing an environmental management system (EMS) based on ISO 14001 might seem like a big task, but that doesn’t mean it is just for the bigger players in the market. Breaking it down into phases is the key. A newly revised guidance document just published helps businesses of all shapes and sizes put an EMS in place in the way that suits them – and reap the benefits every step of the way.

Safety Share

• Distracted driving

Know what counts as distracted driving – and the penalties you could face for it – before you get behind the wheel. While you are driving, including when you are stopped in traffic or at a red light, it is illegal to:

• use a phone or other hand-held wireless communication device to text or dial – you can only touch a device to call 911 in an emergency
• use a hand-held electronic entertainment device, such as a tablet or portable gaming console
• view display screens unrelated to driving, such as watching a video
• program a GPS device, except by voice commands