REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

• Outcome-based requirements: what they mean for food businesses

The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) are now in force and bring with them a number of key advancements, including moving to a mix of outcome and prescriptive-based approaches to regulating food safety. This innovative approach enables industry to innovate, respond to emerging threats and make the food system even safer. By specifying the outcome that a business must meet, rather than describing the way it must be met, businesses are better able to introduce new technologies, processes and procedures. Industry will need to provide evidence that the chosen methods of meeting the required outcomes are effective. The level of evidence needed will depend on the associated level of risk.

• CODEX celebrates 6 decades  

Staff of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) joined the global celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), dressing up accordingly for the occasion. CRN, a stalwart supporter and regular attendee of CAC as well as of other Codex committees, raised a glass of orange juice in recognition of Codex work over the past six decades. wishing for many more years providing food standards, guidelines and codes of practice.

• Ontario reminds businesses of AODA reporting obligations

Businesses and non-profits with 20 or more employees and public sector organizations must submit compliance reports to confirm they have met their accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

• Québec draft regulation for mandatory reporting of certain emissions of contaminants

The draft regulation provides for mandatory reporting for operators whose enterprises, facilities or establishments engage in greenhouse gas emissions capture, storage, re-use or elimination, or receive greenhouse gas emissions transfers from other operators’ enterprises, facilities or establishments. Consequently, the Regulation also provides for improved reporting as regards captured, stored, eliminated, re-used or transferred emissions.

• Prince Edward Island EMO returns to routine monitoring

As post-tropical storm Lee has now passed the province, PEI has deactivated the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) from Level 1, back to regular operations and routine monitoring.  The provincial government has reached out to neighbouring provinces who were more harshly impacted to offer assistance and support.

• FDA consults on electronic records and signatures

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the Agency. With respect to the following collection of information, FDA invites comments on these topics: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of FDA’s functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FDA’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques, when appropriate, and other forms of information technology.

• Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) User Fees

The proposed rule to amend regulations governing AQI program user fees is available for viewing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is seeking comments on a proposed rule to amend regulations governing its Agricultural Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) program user fees. APHIS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) jointly administer the AQI program, which assures that cargo and passenger baggage entering the country is inspected for plant pests and potential sources of animal diseases that could affect U.S. agriculture, trade and commerce. Foreign pests and diseases can be devastating to U.S. agriculture and the broader U.S. economy, and the AQI program is highly successful at preventing such disruptions.

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Notice and request for comments

The information collection concerns records of inspection, repair, and maintenance of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). FMCSA requests approval to revise an Information Collection Request (ICR) titled, “Inspection, Repair and Maintenance.”  Motor carriers must maintain, or require maintenance of, records documenting the inspection, repair and maintenance activities performed on their owned and leased vehicles. We must receive your comments on or before November 24, 2023.

• California intends to list coal-tar pitch, fluoro-edenite fibrous amphibole and silicon carbide whiskers

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) intends to list coal-tar pitch, fluoro-edenite fibrous amphibole, and silicon carbide whiskers as known to the state to cause cancer under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Health and Safety Code (HSC) sections 25249.5 et seq., otherwise known as Proposition 65.

• New EFSA dashboard

The European Food Safety Authority has launched a new dashboard that provides interactive online access to the results of its horizon scanning activities for plant pests that may pose a threat to European Union territory.

• European Commission adopts micro-plastics restrictions

The Commission takes another major step to protect the environment by adopting measures that restrict microplastics intentionally added to products under the EU chemical legislation REACH. The new rules will prevent the release to the environment of about half a million tonnes of microplastics. They will prohibit the sale of microplastics as such, and of products to which microplastics have been added on purpose and that release those microplastics when used. When duly justified, derogations and transition periods for the affected parties to adjust to the new rules apply.

• Europe elaborates on necessity of banning creosote-treated wood

The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) supports France’s proposal to restrict the placing on the market, reuse and banning the secondary use of wood treated with creosote and related substances. The draft opinion of the Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) is open for comments until 7 November 2023.

• Europe publishes screening report for trixylyl phosphate

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a screening report to assess whether the use of trixylyl phosphate in articles should be restricted in accordance with REACH Article 69(2).

Safety Share

• What Employers Should Know About Suicide Prevention

Unfortunately, workplaces are often overlooked when the reality is that mental health impacts workers’ productivity and performance, as well as the employers’ operations and mission. Employers need to recognize the misconception that pre-existing mental health conditions are not a concern in the workplace. Ignoring the warning signs of an individual’s mental health struggles could potentially escalate to the risk of suicide.

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

• 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.

• World Food Forum – October 16 – 20, 2023 – Rome, Italy

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).

• International Baking Association –  October 22-26, 2023 – Munich, Germany

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.

• NSC Safety Congress & Expo – October 23-25 New Orleans

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.

• 2023 Disaster Forum – October 26-26, 2023 – Banff Springs

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.

• 2023 NCSO & NHSA Educational Conference – November 23, 2023 – via Zoom

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.

• Canada – European Union CETA Agriculture Dialogue Sustainability Workshops – Dec 4-5, 2023 Brussels

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]

• ECHA Conference 2024 – February 28, 2024 – Helsinki, Finland

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.