Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF APRIL 14, 2021
Canadian Federal News
This is to inform you that the new Guidance Document for the Notification and Testing of New Chemicals and Polymers is now available for use and comments. Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act), any person who wishes to manufacture or import new chemicals and polymers in Canada is responsible for complying with the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers). Comments provided by June 30, 2021, will be taken into consideration during the development of the final Guidance Document. Comments can be submitted using the online reporting system available through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window or by email to [email protected]. In accordance with section 313 of the Act, any person who provides information may submit, with the information, a request that it be treated as confidential.
One of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) top priorities is to protect consumers by safeguarding Canada’s food supply. The Agency verifies that the industry is meeting federal food safety requirements and conducts sampling and testing to detect food safety risks. Testing conducted on food colours and multi-mycotoxins in corn products were found to not pose a human health concern.
Critical minerals are the building blocks for a clean and digitized economy. Learn about Canada’s critical minerals list, actions and initiatives that help promote Canada’s competitiveness, and resources related to critical minerals in Canada. The Government of Canada has developed a listing of 31 minerals considered to be critical for the sustainable economic success of Canada and our allies and to position Canada as the leading mining nation, as set out in the Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP).
The Science Approach Document (SciAD) provides information on how to use in vitro toxicity data (i.e., data from human cell lines, animal cells, and cell-free biochemical tests) in order to estimate the potential for risk that chemicals may pose to human health. Within the document, Health Canada examines in vitro toxicity data and applies the approach to 46 chemicals previously assessed under the CMP in order to build confidence in applying the approach. The approach outlined in the SciAD is intended to support priority setting and risk assessment activities as the CMP continues to evolve. As the availability of bioactivity data increases and more experience is gained, the application of this approach may be expanded to inform targeted data generation and contribute to the weight of evidence evaluation for risk assessments.
Canadian Provincial News
Effective April 1, 2021 employees are allowed to take a leave of absence for specific reasons. Most leaves covered by B.C. employment standards are unpaid, but an employee’s job is protected while they’re on one. In most cases, an employee doesn’t need to be employed for a certain amount of time to take leave.
- Alberta updates its enforcement for workplace masking requirements
Occupational health and safety officers have the authority to issue tickets for not complying with public health order requirements for masks in indoor workplaces. This remains in effect as long as the public health order is in effect.
Guidelines for reporting to OHS with respect to COVID-19 exposure in the workplace.
On March 31, 2021, Shawcor Ltd. pleaded guilty in Regina Provincial Court to violating one count under occupational health and safety legislation. As a result of this violation, the Court imposed a fine of $130,000 along with a $52,000 surcharge, for a total amount of $182,000.
The Ontario government is launching a series of zero-tolerance workplace safety inspections in sectors and regions hardest hit by COVID-19, beginning tomorrow with warehouses, food processors and manufacturers in Peel and Halton Regions.
The Resource Productivity and Recover Authority (RPRA) is consulting on its proposed 2021 Registry fees for tires, batteries and electronics until May 14, 2021. These are fees that registrants pay to the Authority annually to cover the Authority’s costs related to building and operating the Registry, and compliance and enforcement activities.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ontario government made a regulation that changed certain Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) rules during the COVID-19 period. The temporary rules continue to be in effect until July 3, 2021.
[/vc_column_text] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting an evaluation of its policies, guidance, templates, and regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) new chemicals program to ensure they adhere to statutory requirements, the Biden-Harris administration’s executive orders, and other directives. The agency has identified several instances where the approach for making determinations and managing risks associated with new chemicals can more closely align with the requirements of TSCA to ensure protections for human health and the environment, including the use of significant new use rules (SNURs) and assumptions related to worker exposures. The period for submitting public comments is being extended by 30 days to allow stakeholders interested in the proposed rule additional time to review the proposed rule and collect information and data necessary for comment. DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule that published at 86 FR 9576 on February 16, 2021, is extended. Comments on the NPRM (including requests for hearing) and other information must be submitted by May 19, 2021. The user-friendly, pocket-sized TLVs and BEIs book is used worldwide as a guide for evaluation and control of workplace exposures to chemical substances and physical agents. Threshold Limit Value (TLV) occupational exposure guidelines are recommended for more than 700 chemical substances and physical agents. There are more than 50 Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) that cover more than 80 chemical substances. Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry numbers are listed for each chemical. Introductions to each section and appendices provide philosophical bases and practical recommendations for using TLVs and BEIs. New this Edition – The first TLV specifically for a nano-sized particle is on the NIC for titanium dioxide. This TLV is of vital importance as the use of nano-sized TiO2 is expanded in the green energy and consumer product markets. This TLV is only available in the 2021 edition, so get yours today.
US News
International News
Seven intentions have been received for:
- calcium acetylide; calcium carbide (EC 200-848-3, CAS 75-20-7 );
- captan (ISO) 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-N-(trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (EC 205-087-0, CAS 133-06-2);
- N-(trichloromethylthio)phthalimide (EC 205-088-6, CAS 133-07-3);
- ethanethiol;ethyl mercaptan (EC 200-837-3, CAS 75-08-1);
- sodium peroxometaborate (EC 231-556-4, CAS 7632-04-4);
- methacrylic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol (EC 248-666-3, CAS 27813-02-1); and
- 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (EC 212-782-2, CAS 868-77-9).
One proposal has been submitted for ethylene bis[3,3-bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate (EC 251-073-2, CAS 32509-66-3).
The Basel Convention Plastic Waste Partnership and the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions (BRS) are moving forward with the roll-out of over 50 pilot projects across the world. The initiative fosters the introduction of practical innovations to policymaking in the form of changes to business-as-usual prompted by the Basel Convention’s Plastic Waste Amendments, which became effective on 1 January this year.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
As you dream about planting your garden to beautify your home or grow your own food, remember that those tiny seeds you buy online could harm our environment and economy.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Chronicle 360 – Food Safety April 2021
No matter the occasion, chocolate can be eaten year-round. But have you ever noticed that the colour of your chocolate has changed and wondered whether it is safe to eat? Looks can be deceiving. Here are some chocolate-related natural occurrences you may not be aware of.
Counterfeit 3M respirators are being distributed in healthcare facilities. The Health Professionals and Allied Employees union has created a guide to identifying fake masks.
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