REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 27, 2023

• California introduces AB 418 to prohibit 5 substances, including titanium dioxide

California is proposing to adopt changes to its Health and Safety Code. SECTION 1. Chapter 17 (commencing with Section 109025) is added to Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:

CHAPTER  17. Food Safety

109025. Commencing January 1, 2025, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale, in commerce a food product that contains any of the following substances:

(a) Brominated vegetable oil (CAS no. 8016-94-2).

(b) Potassium bromate (CAS no. 7758-01-2).

(c) Propylparaben (CAS no. 94-13-3).

(d) Red dye 3 (CAS no. 16423-68-0).

(e) Titanium dioxide (CAS no. 13463-67-7).

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada releases “What We Heard” report on fertilizer emissions reductions

Over 2,000 submissions were received through the online consultation, technical workshops and town hall meetings between March and October 2022. Farmers, producers, industry associations, provinces and territories, scientists and environmental organizations provided their input. AAFC analyzed the valuable feedback, and today, published the Fertilizer Emissions Reduction Target Consultation What We Heard Report. The feedback will inform AAFC’s work, in collaboration with the sector, to meet Canada’s fertilizer emissions reduction target, of 30% from 2020 levels by 2030, and will unlock new economic opportunities.

• Canada launches new toll-free 1-844 POISON-X number for poison centres

Health Canada has launched a new toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, in collaboration with four Canadian poison centres, to make it easier for people in Canada to access critical medical advice for poisonings. We encourage everyone to save this number in their phones, and to include it in their action plans in the event of a poisoning.

• Ontario Introducing New Investment Tax Credit for Manufacturers

As part of the upcoming 2023 Budget, the government will propose legislation that would, if passed, create a new 10 per cent refundable corporate income tax credit of up to $2 million a year for Canadian-controlled private corporations on qualifying investments in buildings, machinery and equipment for use in manufacturing or processing in the province.

• Québec announces Zone 2 thaw period

The thaw period for zone 2 for 2023 begins  on 27 March 2023 and ends on 26 May 2023.

• New Brunswick reminds employers to beware of misleading email and phone calls

Unfortunately, WorkSafeNB is still receiving reports that firms are contacting New Brunswick employers and suggesting they are non-compliant with provincial OHS laws. The representatives may claim to be WorkSafeNB or use aggressive sales tactics to push unneeded goods and services. These firms may use the WorkSafeNB or Government of New Brunswick logo without permission.

• Technical amendments to food labelling, infant formula, food additives and GRAS

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending its regulations that pertain to food labeling, infant formula requirements, food additives, direct food substances affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS), and new dietary ingredient (NDI) notifications. These amendments correct typographical errors, correct errors in sample labels, restore inadvertent omissions, and update office and organization names, addresses, and other references. This action is ministerial or editorial in nature. This rule is effective on March 24, 2023.

• Draft Guide for Submitting Permit Applications for Microorganisms Developed using Genetic Engineering

The draft Guide for Submitting Permit Applications for Microorganisms Developed using Genetic Engineering Under 7 CFR part 340 is available on the APHIS website, and members of the public may view and submit comments starting March 23, 2023.

• EPA Requests Nominations for Review of Draft Supplement to the 1,4-Dioxane Risk Evaluation Under TSCA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for nominations of ad hoc expert reviewers to assist the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) with their review of the 2023 Draft Supplement to the 1,4-Dioxane Risk Evaluation under the Toxic Substances Review Act (TSCA).

• Safety Advisory Notice: DOT-111 Tank Cars in Flammable Liquid Service

The safety advisory re-emphasizes concerns with the survivability of DOT-111 tank cars and encourages tank car owners and shippers of flammable liquids to voluntarily upgrade their tank car fleets to the DOT-117 specification tank car, the newest and safest available tank car design authorized for flammable liquid service. The advisory also urges rail carriers to consider the risks inherent in the continued use of DOT-111 tank cars in flammable liquid service, and to take actions that could reduce the risks of hazardous material transportation by rail.

• IARC evaluation of anthracene, 2-bromopropane, butyl methacrylate, and dimethyl hydrogen phosphite

The results of the recent International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs evaluation of the carcinogenicity of four agents, including anthracene, 2-bromopropane, butyl methacrylate, and dimethyl hydrogen phosphite, have now been published in The Lancet Oncology. This summary article presents the conclusions of IARC Monographs Meeting 133.

• Europe seeks input on proposed PFAS restriction

The European Chemicals Agency invites interested parties to send in scientific and technical information on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by 25 September 2023.

• European Court of Justice confirms General Court judgment on bisphenol A

The European Court of Justice has dismissed in its entirety an appeal brought by Plastics Europe against the General Court’s judgment in case T-207/18 confirming ECHA’s decision to identify bisphenol A (BPA) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) on the basis that it is an endocrine disrupter to the environment.

Safety Share

• Government of Canada “Get Help Here” mental health campaign

The Government of Canada has launched “Get Help Here” this winter, a campaign to raise awareness that free, credible resources are available 24/7 to help support the mental health of people in Canada.

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.