REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 10, 2023

• Consultation: Canadian Peat Export Certification Program (CPECP)

This directive describes the CPECP, which provides the basis for export certification of peat-based commodities from Canada. Although the CPECP is not a new program, recent updates have resulted in more detailed requirements that may necessitate additional effort. Specifically, peat exporters must now provide detailed descriptions of the harvest, storage, processing, and packaging processes used for export. Additionally, a map with scale for each peat bog must be provided, indicating the location of the harvested peat, along with a description of how peat traceability is maintained.

• Canadian car rental company fined $1 Million for spill

On April 4, 2023, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada was ordered by the Court of Quebec to pay $1 million after pleading guilty in the Montréal courthouse to one count of violating the Fisheries Act. The conviction is the result of a gasoline spill that occurred on January 4, 2021.

• Domestic dog tests positive for avian influenza in Canada  

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, confirmed on April 1, 2023, that a domestic dog in Oshawa, Ontario has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

• 28^th Edition of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Procedural Manual now available

This newly designed 28th edition with the first change in layout since the 1960s, amends the section on commodity standards dealing with non-retail containers; introduces new text on “Criteria and procedural guidelines for Codex committees and ad hoc intergovernmental task forces working by correspondence”, and there is a new annex concerning the “Approach for the extrapolation of maximum residue limits of veterinary drugs to one or more species to the risk analysis principles applied by the Committee on residues of veterinary drugs in foods”.

• Alberta amends Occupational Health and Safety Code for Part 11 First Aid

This resource gives an overview of the 2022 changes to the OHS Code – Part 11 (first aid) that became effective on March 31, 2023.

• Saskatchewan spring weight restrictions have begun

The 2023 spring road restrictions come into force in Saskatchewan on Friday, April 7. These restrictions are used by the province and rural municipalities to mitigate potential damage to our highway system.

• Ontario Reducing Red Tape to Deliver Better Services and Help Businesses Grow

The Ontario government introduced the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act, 2023 which, if passed, would pave the way for better services, help Ontario businesses grow, and save people time.

• Ontario inspections focusing on materials handling sectors

From April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) will be conducting a Material Handling Initiative focused on facilities or operations where large or bulky materials, articles or things are lifted, carried, or moved. Inspections begin May 1, 2023 in the following sectors:

– Automotive

– Chemical, rubber and plastics

– Food, beverage and tobacco

– Transportation

• Northwest Territories launches new Environment and Climate Change organization

The Departments of Lands and Environment and Natural Resources have merged into the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC).

• Use of Salt Substitutes To Reduce the Sodium Content in Standardized Foods

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is proposing to amend our standard of identity (SOI) regulations that specify salt (sodium chloride) as a required or optional ingredient to permit the use of salt substitutes in standardized foods, to reduce the sodium content. Either electronic or written comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by August 8, 2023.

• Draft Guidance: Action Levels for Lead in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reopening the comment period for the draft guidance entitled “Action Levels for Lead in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children; Draft Guidance for Industry,” which was announced in the Federal Register of January 25, 2023. We are taking this action in response to requests for an extension to allow interested persons additional time to submit comments. Submit either electronic or written comments on the draft guidance by May 8, 2023

• California launches consult on draft cancer inhalation unit risk for ethylene oxide

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is releasing a draft document for public review that summarizes the carcinogenicity data and derives an updated cancer inhalation unit risk factor (IUR) for ethylene oxide. Cancer IURs are used to estimate lifetime cancer risks associated with inhalation exposure to a carcinogen.

• Future of European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) submission systems

ECHA is  revamping its regulatory submission systems: REACH-IT, ePIC, R4BP 3 and the ECHA Submission Portal.

• Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an assessment on the public health risk related to the presence of nitrosamines in food. Ten nitrosamines found in food are carcinogenic (can cause cancer) and genotoxic (may damage DNA). EFSA’s opinion will be shared with the European Commission, which will discuss with national authorities what risk management measures are needed.

Safety Share

• Soil type is one of the most important factors affecting trench stability

In a single trench, soil properties can vary from top to bottom or along its length. Even hard soil may contain faults in seams or layers that make it unstable when excavated.

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

• 2023 Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference & Expo – April 16-19^th, 2023 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

The 2023 Responsible Care & Sustainability Conference & Expo provides educational and networking opportunities for ACC members, supply chain partners, and other stakeholders. The conference will highlight industry sustainability initiatives as well as strategic enhancements to Responsible Care, the industry’s environmental, health, safety and security performance initiative.

• Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-16) – May 1-12, 2023 Geneva

The sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention (BC COP-16), the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention (RC COP-11) and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC COP-11) will be held in Geneva, from 1 to 12 May 2023.

• 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.

• ENGAGE23 – May 9-11^th, 2023 – New Orleans, Louisiana

Achieving Excellence in Safety, Stewardship and Sustainability

• 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.

• NFPA Annual Conference & Expo June 19-21^st, 2023 – Las Vegas

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) will host its annual Conference & Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on June 19-21, 2023. This comprehensive event brings together thousands of the industry’s leading professionals who will attend more than 110 educational sessions addressing the latest issues, challenges, and trends in the world of fire, electrical, and life safety.

• 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.