Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 2023
World Food Safety Day on 7 June 2023 will draw attention to food standards. Foodborne diseases affect 1 in 10 people worldwide each year, and food standards help us to ensure what we eat is safe. Food allergens such as peanuts, shellfish, wheat, eggs, and milk affect over 3 million Canadians, including 600,000 children and impact 1-in-2 households. This community relies on access to accurate ingredient information yet current food labelling practices, specifically precautionary allergen labelling, is confusing to consumers making it difficult to navigate safe food options. Health Canada has, after about 25 years, updated its Natural Health Products Ingredient database. It includes a list of new additions, name changes, and a few other things, and it really looks fresh and clean. The results of the premarket assessment support the safety and efficacy of α-cyclodextrin for use as a food additive. Consequently, Health Canada is authorizing the use of α-cyclodextrin as described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents, effective May 31, 2023. During the summer of 2022 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of European cherry fruit fly (Rhagoletis cerasi) in Montréal, Quebec. An official pest report providing additional information related to the detection of this quarantine pest in Quebec was published on the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) Phytosanitary Alert System. The CFIA also updated the Rhagoletis cerasi(European Cherry Fruit Fly) – Fact sheet accordingly. The Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) will be updating master file (MF) registration as a part of the continuing effort to implement a common intake approach for all drug product lines, including veterinary drugs. MF holders and applicants using MFs to support veterinary drug submissions will need to submit MF transactions via the Common Electronic Submission Gateway (CESG) using an application form in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. This update is consistent with the transition of human drug MF application form to a web-based form effective June 26, 2023. Additionally, HPFB is consulting on a proposal to implement fees for MFs for veterinary drugs, to align them with the existing MF fee structure for human drugs. Comments on the MF fees proposal will close on August 12, 2023. Both changes for veterinary drugs are proposed to go into effect on January 2, 2024. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is continuously reviewing customs processes, including legislative and regulatory instruments, to protect the competitiveness of Canadian businesses and meet the increasing volume of e-commerce. Canada’s regulatory framework on determining the value for duty of imported goods does not align with international consensus established at the World Customs Organization. This creates an unfair advantage for foreign-based importers as they can declare a lower priced sale in the trade chain to value their goods and pay less duty on imported goods. Creating a definition for “sold for export to Canada” and changing the definition of “purchaser in Canada” would allow us to address this misalignment. The Senate proceeded to consideration of the amendments from the House of Commons concerning Bill S-5, An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act. The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada. Decision: Picoxystrobin (SRD2023-01) May 30, 2023.
This resource gives an overview of 2022 changes to the OHS Code – Part 11 (first aid) effective March 31, 2023. (For more on current first aid requirements, read “First aid in the workplace”.) WorkSafe Saskatchewan recognized safety leaders from around the province at its 2023 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards. WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, presented these awards in Saskatoon as part of the WCB’s 25th anniversary of Compensation Institute. Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer, Dr. Joel Moody, announced that the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Chief Prevention Office has accredited Responsible Care as an Occupation Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) within its Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers (SOSE) program. The Ontario government is now requiring at-risk employers to ensure their workplaces have a life-saving naloxone kit on hand and workers trained on how to use them. As of April, more than 1,000 free nasal spray naloxone kits have been distributed to businesses around the province through Ontario’s Workplace Naloxone Program, while businesses may also obtain their own kits. In 2022, over 2,500 people died from opioid-related causes in Ontario. The Ontario government is investing $6.5 million to support five innovative projects to help more than 3,770 people with disabilities find meaningful jobs with businesses in their communities. These projects will connect jobseekers to careers in a variety of sectors, including health care, information technology, retail and hospitality. More than 2.6 million people in Ontario live with a disability, which can significantly increase risk of unemployment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to update confidential business information (CBI) requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that increases transparency, modernizes the reporting and review procedures for CBI, and aligns with the 2016 amendments to TSCA. The final rule allows EPA to release non-confidential information more quickly, demonstrating EPA’s ongoing commitment to transparency and data integrity, and makes the process for submitting and substantiating CBI claims more efficient. List of new chemical assessment statements published by the Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme. 8 assessment statements are included. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published its fifth report on the use of alternatives to testing on animals for the REACH Regulation. The report finds that progress is being made in the increased use of alternatives to gather data on the properties of substances, in place of animal testing. Safety Share Provides employers with information about some key occupational health and safety requirements related to emergency response planning. The kit also provides a step-by-step approach to planning, that employers can customize to their own work site. The summer months give us a chance to partake in outside activities that source our health and wellness. As we know, sunshine is an excellent source of vitamin D and has been proven to reduce stress. However, it’s crucial to prioritize sun safety to protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. 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. 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 is bringing supply chain professionals all along the chemical distribution industry together to share best practices and business solutions. Asian Chemicals Forum (ACF) will cover a wide range of topics related to safe chemical management. 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. The World Food Forum officially unveiled its theme for 2023: “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action” and launched its activities for the year culminating in a series of global events, competitions and actions taking place from 16-20 October at the Rome headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The International Baking Association (IBA) trade fair, a leading trade fair for the baking and confectionery industry set for Oct. 22-26 in Munich, will feature an area focused on innovative start-up businesses. The next European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Conference will take place on 28 February 2024 in Helsinki. As we are preparing the programme, we want to hear what would be the most important topics for you. So, fill in our short survey and help us shape a relevant and inspiring stakeholder event.Advocacy
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