Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 16, 2023
The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards celebrates innovation and excellence in new or innovated food and non-food products by national and private-label brands, including emerging and QSR inspired brands. The Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub will provide support to innovative companies to advance more solutions and technologies to market by providing mentoring and advisory services in agri-food business acceleration, growth planning, and investment readiness, as well as to provide supports to businesses across the agri-food supply chain with respect to adoption of innovation. (Food Safety News) The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) took 15 samples of fresh and frozen tuna from importers and wholesalers and found an illegally high level of carbon monoxide in one sample. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sought feedback from stakeholders, including consumers, on labelling of the origin of imported foods when the food originates from a contested geographical area or territory. Writing for a majority of the Court, Chief Justice Wagner ruled that the reference questions should be answered in the affirmative: the federal impact assessment scheme is unconstitutional in part. The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of cellulase from T. reesei RF11412 for its requested uses. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of cellulase from this source as described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective October 11, 2023. With the information now being updated once a day, search capabilities allows search field criterion such as: Company Name, Site Licence or FSRN, Licence Status and/or Licence Number. The Workplace Hazardous Materials Bureau would like to inform you of Health Canada’s proposal to adjust new service standards for confidential business information (CBI) claims for exemption under the Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (HMIRA) and invite your feedback by November 10, 2023. These proposed changes are the latest step in the Workplace Hazardous Products Program’s work to modernize the administration of the HMIRA to improve program efficiencies. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada would like to inform you that we have recently published a report on one of the topics of interest to you. This report marks the completion of the first phase of our work, which was focused on engaging with stakeholders and experts to consider evidence and collect opinions and perspectives. The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) assessed information on 12 substances (9 chemicals and polymers and 3 living organisms) and determined that they meet the criteria for addition to the Domestic Substances List, as set out in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). 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.
At its July 2023 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved 2023 amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The amendments relate to Hazardous Drugs and Asbestos Certification and Licensing. Strikethrough versions of the amendments with explanatory notes can be accessed below. The Ontario government to create Canada’s first-ever Occupational Exposure Registry to track harmful exposure levels, help diagnose workplace diseases faster, improve worker compensation, and reduce costs to the healthcare system. The registry will help address many of the 41 recommendations resulting from the province’s first-ever review of the occupational illness landscape. The Ontario government released The Future of the Great Lakes Economy: Ontario’s Marine Transportation Strategy, outlining actions the province will take to strengthen Ontario’s position as a leader in marine transportation. Part of the government’s plan to build Ontario, the strategy will create more jobs, trade and economic opportunities for the future. The legislation would proclaim May 1 of each year as First Responders’ Day in Nova Scotia. On October 16, 2023, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will update the publicly posted datasets on import refusals and country-level import volume for products that the agency regulates. Federal law requires every commercial shipment of imported meat, poultry, and egg products to be reinspected prior to product entering U.S. commerce. FSIS re-inspects each shipment to verify labeling, proper certification, general condition, and any signs of tampering and to identify product adulterated by transportation damage. FSIS also performs additional activities on a random and/or for-cause basis, such as physical product examination and laboratory sampling for pathogens and chemical residues. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing the availability of a final guidance entitled “Prior Notice of Imported Food Questions and Answers (Edition 4): Guidance for Industry.” The guidance document updates the current version of the guidance by including three additional questions. One question relates to any effect systems recognition or equivalency determinations have on prior notice requirements. he Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of an existing collection of information, and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice solicits comments on FDA Recall Regulations. The consultation ends December 12, 2023. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has published a Structured Product Labeling (SPL) Implementation Guide with Validation Procedures. Cosmetics product facility registrations and product listings are now included within the SPL framework. The Implementation Guide can be used to develop SPL authoring tools. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a 60-day public comment period associated with release of the draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic. The comment period ends December 15, 2023. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing reporting and recordkeeping requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In accordance with obligations under TSCA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, EPA is requiring persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured these chemical substances in any year since January 1, 2011, to submit information to EPA regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, byproducts, disposal, exposures, and existing information on environmental or health effects. In addition to fulfilling statutory obligations under TSCA, this rule will enable EPA to better characterize the sources and quantities of manufactured PFAS in the United States. This final rule is effective on November 13, 2023. A bill to prohibit the use of organophosphate pesticides on food (Congressional Record: 18 September 2023 [House] Pages H4379-H4381). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the emergency exemption rules to narrow the scope of safety regulations from which relief is automatically provided for motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance when an emergency has been declared. This rule ensures that the relief granted through emergency declarations is appropriate and tailored to the specifics of the circumstances and emergencies being addressed. This rule also revises the process for extending automatic emergency regulatory relief where circumstances warrant and allows for potential reporting requirements when FMCSA issues an extension or modification. World Standards Day is marked every year on 14 October and in 2023 the theme is: “shared vision for a better world: Incorporating SDG 3”. Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. As the FAO/WHO international food standards setting body, Codex Alimentarius supports the World Standards Day vision for “a world that is better, fairer, and more sustainable, prioritizing the well-being and health of all”. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) encourages the general public, the scientific community, national health agencies, and other organizations to nominate agents for review in future IARC Monographs volumes. Calls for comments and evidence allow interested parties to signal their interest and express their views and concerns in the preparatory phase of the restriction proposal. They also let interested parties comment on the different documents under preparation in European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in relation to restrictions, such as reports on substances in articles and guidelines on restriction entries. Safety Share A psychologically safe team is one where all members are equipped to deal with work challenges effectively, are able to contribute their best work and feel safe to speak up about concerns. By protecting psychological health and safety, a team leader frees the members to optimize their creativity, innovation and performance every day. Use this free online resource to assess a team of four or more across three categories: Leadership, Team interactions and Inclusion. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. 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. Coming together to share in the crucial work of making people safe is now more important than ever, as new safety challenges continue to redefine the ways in which we live and work. Disaster Forum is Canada’s premier event for emergency/crisis management and business continuity professionals to discuss and analyze best practices, tools, and support for the community of practice. Held at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel on October 24 – 26, delegates will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with leaders in Emergency Management and business continuity from industry, government and communities across Canada. IHSA welcomes you to join us via Zoom for the second annual NCSO®/NHSA™ Educational Conference on Thursday, Nov. 23rd at 8:00 a.m. This half-day event will provide NCSO/NHSAs with an opportunity to increase their knowledge of relevant health and safety topics and learn more about some of the key areas important to maintaining their NCSO®/NHSA™ status. As Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada begins to organize logistics around the Wrap-up Conference, we ask that parties interested in attending please reply to this message by September 8, 2023 email to: [email protected] The Forum is an annual event and brings together scientists and public and private stakeholders with expertise on endocrine disruptors to exchange information and best practices, identify challenges and build synergies. This year the Forum will include sessions on regulatory updates by the European Commission and Agencies; global developments; research; national, regional and local initiatives; and a specific focus on PFAS. 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. The 2024 SOT Annual Meeting and ToxExpo will take place March 10–14, 2024, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Visit the 2024 website to view upcoming deadlines. The Baking Association of Canada’s national baking industry event will feature a bustling trade show and conference, inspirational speakers, education sessions, competitions and demonstrations and countless opportunities to network and benefit your business.Advocacy
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