Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14, 2022
The proposed rule, “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (Food Traceability Proposed Rule) is a key component of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint and would implement Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Please note that effective November 15, 2022, facilities registering under the Canadian Heat Treated Wood Products Certification Program (HT program), the Canadian Sawn Wood Certification Program (CSWCP) and the Cedar Debarking and Grub Hole Control Program (CDGHCP) will no longer receive their registration certificate by mail directly from the CFIA. The Government of Canada is supporting the creation of a certification program that will allow businesses to meet specific trade requirements. Completion of the certification program will provide micro and small enterprises (MSE) with access to other services provided by GS1 Canada for one year. Amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations relating to hatcheries and supply flocks have been published in the Canada Gazette, Part II and will come into effect in one year. This one-year transition will allow industry to prepare for the amended regulations before they are enforced. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau (WHMB) would like to inform you that, to align with section 10 of the Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations (HMIRR), Health Canada will issue a registry number for claims for exemption filed under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA) following receipt of the required payment. This applies to all claims for exemption received after October 30, 2022. As Health Canada plans for its first multi-stakeholder workshop, they are seeking agenda items and stakeholder leads from all interested stakeholder groups, including industry associations, labour organizations, federal, provincial and territorial partners, and any other group impacted by Health Canada decision making surrounding the hazard communication of workplace chemical products. These amendments to the Contraventions Regulations are made in order to expand the list of offences contained in regulations made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and the Canada Wildlife Act, which could be prosecuted by means of a contraventions ticket, therefore providing enforcement officers with an appropriate enforcement tool to ensure compliance. In the trucking industry, there is a long history of companies using the misleading “Driver Inc.” practice, whereby drivers are encouraged—against their will—to self-incorporate and claim to operate as independent contractors without information on the detriments of doing so. By misclassifying employees as independent contractors, companies are denying them important rights and entitlements under the Canada Labour Code, such as paid sick leave, health and safety standards, employer contributions to Employment Insurance and the Canada Pension Plan, and workplace injury compensation. The Competition Bureau has rescinded the temporary guidance on competitor collaborations provided to businesses to support crisis response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transport Canada wants to inform you about a new tool we’re proposing to use to help with oversight and enforcement of Canada’s commercial motor vehicle safety framework. We are proposing that enforcement officers can issue tickets to violators of the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations. To do this, we want to label certain provisions of the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations as “contraventions”. A “contravention” happens when someone violates a regulation. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency consults with the public on all proposed major registration decisions, including new registrations, major new uses of a pesticide, re-evaluations and special reviews.
Due to milder weather this November, Winter Weight season is being postponed on all relevant secondary highways. Typically, winter weights begin on November 16 each year and run through March 14. Commercial truckers and shippers are encouraged to check the status of roads regularly. Innovative design will support safe communities, create jobs, and promote economic growth in Northern Ontario Suspension of the prohibition to transport dangerous substances with respect to double train tank trucks of more than 25 m but not more than 27.5 m in overall length. A jury at a coroner’s inquest has made recommendations to improve the safety of those who work in bridge construction and maintenance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the color additive regulations to provide for the expanded safe use of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) extract as a color additive in alcoholic beverages with less than 20 percentalcohol-by-volume content, non-alcoholic beverages, condiments and sauces, dips, dairy product alternatives (identified as non-dairy yogurt alternatives, non-dairy frozen desserts, and non-dairy puddings), salad dressings, and seasoning mixes (unheated). EPA is requesting nominations of prospective candidates for membership on the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) established under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Nominations are due no later than December 12, 2022. Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to the SACC. Individuals may also self-nominate. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a revision to the risk determination for methylene chloride, finding that methylene chloride, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use. The next step in the process is to develop a risk management rulemaking to identify and apply measures that will manage these risks. This fact sheet provides guidance on classifying articles under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and determining the applicability of EPA’s articles exclusion policy for purposes of the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule. The primary goal of this document is to help the regulated community comply with the requirements of the CDR rule. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 30-day public comment period associated with release of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessment Plan and Systematic Review Protocol for Inhalation Exposure to Cobalt and Compounds (Cancer). The 30-day public comment period ends December 14, 2022. The proposals will be evaluated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) scientific Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC). Consultations will be opened after the committees agree that the proposals conform with the legal requirements for a REACH restriction proposal. The conformity check will take place during the November/December meetings of the committees. The guidance document for the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) Volume II – Efficacy Assessment and Evaluation (Parts B+C) has been updated. The update covers the chapter on disinfectants for product-types 1-5. Safety Share Working in the cold can not only be hazardous to your health, but also potentially life-threatening. Cold injuries range from chillblain, trench foot and frostbite to hypothermia, which is a medical emergency. In order to work safely, the numerous risks posed by frigid temperatures, wind chill and wetness needs to be counterbalanced by various measures, including controlled exposure, education and training, and proper insulation. It’s getting to be that time of year again when we will be driving for work in the winter weather. Reserve for this complimentary session where we will discuss some of the updates expected in the soon to be released new CSA Z432 Safeguarding of Machinery standard. Registration to observe the 154th plenary meeting of the GMO Panel – Open for observers is now open. The meeting will take place as tele conference meeting on 30 November 2022 from 09.00 to 16.00 (CET).Advocacy
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