Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 23, 2023
To raise awareness about childhood lead exposure and lead poisoning, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will observe National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) October 22–28, 2023. Each year, NLPPW is a call to bring together individuals, organizations, industry, and state, tribal and local governments to reduce childhood exposure to lead by increasing lead poisoning prevention awareness. California has just signed into law Assembly Bill No. 418 that prohibits brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red dye No. 3 from food. Red Dye 3 is also called erythrosine and is permitted in foods in Canada up to 300 ppm either singly or in combination with other synthetic food colours. Titanium dioxide was not included in the list of prohibited chemicals. The challenge for food processors – or anyone selling products containing these ingredients the need to have a separate California formula. The US Confectionary Association is challenging the US FDA that California’s process is overstepping the US FDA’s authority and making it increasingly difficult to have national formulas with national labels. The Competition Bureau published the findings of an in-depth study ꟷ Competition in Canada from 2000 to 2020: An Economy at a Crossroads ꟷ which tracks a decline in Canada’s competitive intensity over the last two decades. The study is the first of its kind in Canada to provide a comprehensive analysis of indicators of competition across the Canadian economy. The result of this decline in competitive intensity is that both consumers and businesses have seen fewer of the benefits that a more competitive economy has to offer, such as lower prices, greater choice and more innovation. Food Allergy Canada is soliciting your help to gather your feedback on your experiences on eating out and ordering food from a restaurant or foodservice establishment. Strategic Navigator, a third-party research firm, has been engaged to conduct a brief survey. To participate, you must have a formal food allergy diagnosis, or be a parent of a child with a formal food allergy diagnosis. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain anonymous. The survey is available until November 3rd, 2023. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated the Industry Labelling Tool’s guidance for simulated meat and simulated poultry products. The regulatory definition and requirements for simulated meat and simulated poultry products in the Food and Drug Regulations have not changed. Inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. conducted 18,875 commercial motor vehicle inspections Aug. 20-26 for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week. For the weeklong inspection and enforcement initiative, inspectors focused on the brake systems and components of commercial motor vehicles and submitted brake-related data to the Alliance. Of the total vehicles inspected, 87.4% did not have any brake-related out-of-service violations. Next year’s Brake Safety Week is scheduled for Aug. 25-31, 2024. The purpose of this research was to determine if IBCs beyond 60 months of use can still pass the performance tests of new IBCs. This information will help to inform Transport Canada (TC) on if the service life of IBCs used to transport dangerous goods could safely be extended. None of the expired IBC from a single manufacturer tested in this study were able to pass all the performance tests required of new IBC designs, demonstrating safety concerns about service life extension for IBCs beyond the current 60 months without additional mitigation measures. 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.
WorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Department has prepared draft 2024–2026 policy workplans for public consultation. These workplans encompass policy priorities relating to compensation, occupational disease, assessments, and occupational health and safety. You’re invited to provide feedback on the proposed workplans until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023. The registry will help address many of the 41 recommendations resulting from the province’s first-ever review of the occupational illness landscape. Many workplace illnesses currently go undiagnosed or unreported because of the delay between exposure and symptoms, making it difficult to identify occupational disease risks and for workers to get financial support when they fall ill. The new registry would include comprehensive exposure records, identify at-risk workers, help with earlier diagnoses, and potentially contribute to expanding the list of presumptive illnesses in Ontario to improve worker compensation. WorkSafeNB’s strategic plan, which has been in effect since 2022, is ending in 2024: How has it been working? Are you happy with our direction? Would you like to see any changes? Tell us about your ideal WorkSafeNB. Your participation helps us build a better WorkSafeNB for all New Brunswickers. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is requesting a new information collection for pilot projects that test different control strategies for Salmonella contamination in poultry products. This consultation closes December 18, 2023. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is announcing that a proposed collection of information has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. In conjunction with the reportable foods requirements, section 417of the FD&C Act also establishes third-party disclosure and recordkeeping burdens. Specifically, we may require the responsible party to notify the immediate previous source(s) and/or immediate subsequent recipient(s) of a reportable food (sections 417(d)(6)(B)(i) to (ii) of the FD&C Act). The consultation ends on November 20, 2023. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule to strengthen its process for conducting risk evaluations on chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). If finalized, the rule would ensure that EPA’s processes better align with the law, support robust evaluations that account for all risks associated with a chemical, and provides the foundation for protecting workers and communities from toxic chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to issue regulations to implement certain provisions of the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020. This rulemaking proposes to establish a program for the management of hydrofluorocarbons that includes requirements for leak repair and use of automatic leak detection systems for certain equipment using refrigerants containing hydrofluorocarbons and certain substitutes; requirements for the use of reclaimed hydrofluorocarbons in certain sectors or subsectors; the use of recycled hydrofluorocarbons in fire suppression equipment; recovery of hydrofluorocarbons from cylinders; container tracking; and certain recordkeeping, reporting, and labeling requirements. This consultation ends on December 18, 2023. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that improves reporting on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) by eliminating an exemption that allowed facilities to avoid reporting information on PFAS when those chemicals were used in small concentrations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) FMCSA extends the comment period for its August 29, 2023, ANPRM requesting public comment on the need for a rulemaking to revise the regulations prescribing the safety fitness determination (SFD) process; the available science or technical information to analyze regulatory alternatives for determining the safety fitness of motor carriers; feedback on the Agency’s current SFD regulations, including the process and impacts; the available data and costs for regulatory alternatives reasonably likely to be considered as part of this rulemaking; and the specific questions in the ANPRM. FMCSA extends the comment period for 30 days until November 29, 2023. This fact sheet discusses toxic chemicals that you may encounter in daily life, and how Proposition 65 warnings can help you reduce your exposure to many of these chemicals. (HDT Truckinginfo) The California Trucking Association is challenging California’s Advanced Clean Fleets zero-emissions trucks mandate in court. The Advanced Clean Fleets regulation would require motor carriers operating in the state to transition their trucks to zero-emission vehicles — some as soon as January 1st. Germany’s submission of the Annex XV restriction report on 1,4-dioxane (EC 204-661-8) is postponed to October 2025. This interactive database compiles the descriptions of exposure assessment models used in a regulatory context, which were gathered from member countries through a survey in 2021. It could illustrate the varied uses of models in regulatory exposure assessments. Safety Share The abrupt shift in daylight hours can lead to reduced visibility during the evening hours, increasing the risk of accidents for drivers, cyclists, outdoor workers and pedestrians. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. 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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