Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF AUGUST 12, 2020
Canadian Federal News
The CFIA has issued an update on its work regarding reports of Canadians receiving unrequested packages of seeds. If you received a seed package that you did not order, please contact your regional CFIA office. Do not plant seeds from any unknown origin. Put the packaging and the seeds in a sealed plastic bag within another sealed plastic bag and wait for further instructions.
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of cellulose as an anticaking agent in cheddar cheese, (naming the variety) cheese, and unstandardized cheese preparations that are diced, under the same conditions of use as are already permitted for these cheeses when they are grated or shredded.
The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of both cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose as anticaking agents in these cheeses when they are diced or cubed. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the uses of cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Anticaking Agents, effective August 7, 2020.
The notice of intent (NOI) is an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amendment to the Domestic Substances List (DSL) pursuant to subsection 87(3) of Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)footnote1 to apply the Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisionsfootnote3 to the following three substances:
- Oxirane, [(2-propenyloxy)methyl]- (also known as AGE, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number CAS RN 106-92-3);
- Oxirane, [(2-methylphenoxy)methyl]- (also known as o-CGE, CAS RN 2210-79-9); and
- 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, 1,3,5-tris(oxiranylmethyl)- (also known as TGIC, CAS RN 2451-62-9).
Within 60 days of publication of the NOI, any person may submit comments to the Minister of the Environment. These comments will be taken into consideration during the development of the Order amending the DSL to apply the SNAc provisions to these substances.
On the basis of the information presented in this screening assessment, it is concluded that AGE, BCPO, o-CGE, TGIC, and C12-C13 AGE do not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA, as they are not entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
Because AGE, o-CGE and TGIC are listed on the Domestic Substances List (DSL), their import and manufacture in Canada are not subject to notification under the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemical and Polymers) under subsection 81(1) of CEPA. Since AGE, o-CGE and TGIC are considered to have human health effects of concern, there is suspicion that new activities that have not been identified or assessed could lead to any of these substances meeting the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA. Therefore, the Government of Canada intends to amend the DSL, under subsection 87(3) of the Act, to indicate that the significant new activity (SNAc) provisions under subsection 81(3) of the Act apply with respect to these substances.
(CBC News) Longshore workers at the Port of Montreal have launched a general, unlimited strike Monday morning, as negotiations with their employer remain in deadlock. Canadian Union of Public Employees spokesperson Michel Murray confirmed that CUPE Local 375 is going ahead with its plan to strike after giving 72-hour notice last week.
This is your chance to help shape the future of open government in Canada! Our goal is to hear what Canadians coast to coast to coast want to see in our next plan. Tell us your ideas, experiences, insights and stories on what open government means to you; what could be improved and what direction you think open government needs to go. September 2, 2020 to December 1, 2020.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada (HC) has launched a 60-day consultation period from August 5, 2020 to October 5, 2020, to seek feedback on proposed classification criteria for Acid Based Products (ABPs) intended for oral administration to livestock species.
Canadian Provincial News
Effective August 15, 2020, temporary layoffs occurring on or after August 15, 2020, or that were underway as of August 15, 2020, for reasons unrelated to COVID-19, are now a maximum of 90 days total in a 120-day period. Previously, the maximum was 60 days in a 120-day period.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is seeking feedback on a discussion paper that outlines proposed changes to modernize and transition digital reporting services for industrial hazardous waste to the Authority. The discussion paper has been posted to the Environmental Registry for a 60-day comment period, from June 19, 2020 until August 18, 2020.
WorkSafeNB is pleased to announce a new, improved way for employers to report workplace injuries and illnesses and for workers to apply for workers’ compensation benefits.
US News
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) conducted a virtual product reveal to introduce NFPA LiNK™, a new digital content on demand platform that will allow the 124-year old organization to provide the up-to-date code information and situational context that professionals and practitioners need to do their jobs successfully. NFPA LiNK is designed to deliver intuitive, seamless, code-based information to those responsible for building, electrical and life safety via mobile devices, tablets, laptops, or your preferred device.
International News
Based on an evaluation by the Hungarian National Institute of Chemical Safety as the Competent Authority of Hungary (evaluating MSCA), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has taken the following decision in accordance with the procedure set out in Articles 50 and 52 of the REACH Regulation.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
Is heat stress a hazard in your workplace? Heat stress is an issue in many workplaces all year round. It not only affects employees working outdoors, but also those who are exposed to radiant heat or who come in direct physical contact with hot equipment as part of their job.
Health Canada helps Canadians maintain and improve their health by promoting healthy food, healthy food choices, and by keeping the food that Canadians eat as safe as possible. This is our first Food and Nutrition Highlights Report, outlining how we are promoting healthy eating and the initiatives we undertake to ensure that food is safe.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week will proceed as scheduled, Aug. 23-29. Enforcement officials will inspect commercial motor vehicles throughout the week and vehicles found to have critical out-of-service brake violations, or other critical vehicle out-of-service inspection item violations, will be restricted from traveling until those violations are corrected. Vehicles that pass eligible inspections may receive a passed-inspection CVSA decal.
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