Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2023
Health Canada has been in communication with the United States (US) to discuss the implementation of their request regarding Class B chemical precursors (acetone, ethyl ether, hydrochloric acid, methyl ethyl ketone, sulphuric acid and toluene). The Chemical Precursors Section of the Controlled Substances/Opioid Response team is working closely with the US to finalize communications to be shared with industry in the coming weeks. In the meantime, if you hold a valid Class B registration certificate from Health Canada, you may continue your operations (import/exports) as you have previously. Both Susan Abel and Dave Saucier contributed to an upcoming feature to be published in the Toronto Star regarding the 15th anniversary of the tragic listeria outbreak. We haven’t been provided with an advance copy and are hopeful that the reporters convey our inputs in the positive manner that we presented them, namely that Canada has come a long way in 15 years and has made tremendous strides towards a best-in-class food safety program with the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations. We are receiving daily reports from current and prospective clients on increased inspections by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) who have begun confirmatory Preventive Control Plan focused inspections as food licences are up for renewal and other specifically focused inspections on commodities imported that are of concern in the country of export. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a notice to industry regarding the food industry’s regulatory responsibilities for caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs). This follows recall warnings for various brands of CEDs. Canada is the host and lead “Framework Nation” for the CCASCOE, which will be located in Montréal, Quebec. It is expected to launch, at initial operating capacity, in the fall of 2023. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking feedback to understand the volume and complexity of future requests for modifications to food compositional standards from stakeholders, and to inform the principles and the process that will be followed to modernize these standards. The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to various non-compliances related to caffeine content and labelling requirements. High levels of caffeine may have adverse health effects for children, pregnant individuals, breastfeeding individuals, and those sensitive to caffeine. Exercising while consuming caffeine may lead to adverse health effects. Some of the side effects of consuming excess caffeine may include insomnia, irritability, headaches, and nervousness. Health Canada is looking for feedback on a proposed Canadian antimicrobial reserve list. The reserve list will indicate which antimicrobial drugs prescribers are to use sparingly to preserve effectiveness. The consultation closes October 30, 2023. This edition contains information on: Domperidone; Mineral supplements; Third generation aromatase inhibitors; Topamax; Lynparza; Tecvayli. 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.
With continued fire risk in many regions, and tens of thousands of people still under evacuation order and alert, the Province is extending the provincial state of emergency until Sept. 14, 2023, to ensure public safety and support the response to B.C.’s worst-ever wildfire season. The province announced that a Major Incident Readiness Team (MIRT) has been created, comprised of elected and government officials, to prepare for major events and emergencies that have the potential to impact the Island. Each September for 25 years, in recognition of National Food Safety Education Month, health educators and consumers have focused on the most effective ways to avoid foodborne illness, often called food poisoning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 48 million persons — or 1 of every 6 people get foodborne infections each year. Of those, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from their foodborne illness. the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is hosting six webinars for stakeholders impacted by each fee. Each of these webinar target a separate fee area and is expected to last for approximately 60 minutes. For those that are not able to attend the live session, a recording will be posted. More information about the 2023 AQI user fee proposed rule and the associated stakeholder webinars is available from APHIS AQI User Fee webpage. The U.S. Department of Labor announced on August 29, 2023 a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise regulations regarding who can be authorized by employees to act as their representative to accompany the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance officers during physical workplace inspections. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is interested in developing a new methodology to determine when a motor carrier is not fit to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in or affecting interstate commerce. FMCSA requests public comment on the need for a rulemaking to revise the regulations prescribing the safety fitness determination 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 safety fitness determination (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 responses to specific questions in this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM). DATES: Comments on this notice must be received on or before October 30, 2023. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) is extending the comment period for the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), “Used Drum Management and Reconditioning”. The EPA published this ANRPM in the Federal Register on August 11, 2023, and the public comment period was scheduled to end on September 25, 2023. However, the EPA has received several requests for additional time to develop and submit comments on the ANPRM. In response to the requests for additional time, the EPA is extending the comment period through November 22, 2023. European Union (EU) exporters are now required to notify their intentions to export 35 additional hazardous chemicals following an amendment to the EU’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation. The new rules start applying on 1 November 2023. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published a screening report to assess whether the use of sixteen 1,3-dioxanes (also known as ‘Karanal’) in articles should be restricted in accordance with REACH Article 69(2). The German authorities have withdrawn their proposal to restrict bisphenols that have endocrine disrupting properties to the environment from the opinion-making process by the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) scientific committees. They intend to re-submit an updated proposal to ECHA once they have considered the information submitted by stakeholders during the six-month consultation and reworked the scope of the restriction. Safety Share Be prepared to stop for buses in both directions while students embark and disembark. Not stopping puts students at risk and can mean a significant fine and loss of demerit points. Have an event you would like to share? Please send details to [email protected]. Asian Chemicals Forum (ACF) will cover a wide range of topics related to safe chemical management. “Diving into the future“ is the future-oriented motto of this year’s Annual Congress of Fecc (= the European Association of Chemical Distributors), which will return to beautiful Sitges/Barcelone from Monday, 11 September 2023 afternoon to Wednesday, 13 September afternoon. Explore how innovative technologies are shaping the energy transition across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Join industry leaders for insights into accessible, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions. 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. 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. 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 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.Advocacy
Canadian Federal News
Canadian Provincial News
US News
International News
Other Relevant Information
EVENTS
Comments are closed