Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2019
Notice is hereby given that the Minister of the Environment intends to amend the Domestic Substances List (DSL) in order to disclose the identity of the substances listed in Annex I, by deleting them from the confidential portion of the DSL and adding them to the public portion of the DSL. Any person may, within 30 days of publication of this notice, file with the Minister of the Environment comments with respect to this proposal.
Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will update the EU certificates listed below. Some certificates currently in place will no longer be used from December 14, 2019 and will be replaced by new versions.
The following definitions have been updated or added to the SFCR Glossary of key terms:
· Facility
· Restaurant or other similar enterprise
· Storing and handling an edible meat product in its imported condition
Health Canada is pleased to share a new guide with you, the Management of Applications and Performance for Drug Establishment Licences (GUI-0127). GUI-0127 will be implemented on April 1st, 2020 and is being shared with you now so that you have time to prepare for its implementation. GUI-0127 contains best practices that can and should be used as a reference immediately. Please contact Dave Saucier to obtain a copy of the new guidelines – [email protected]
In general, the new requirements apply immediately to businesses that import meat, fish, dairy, egg and processed egg, processed fruit or vegetable products, maple and honey as well as the licensing requirement for fresh fruits and vegetables. Preventive control and PCP requirements will come into force on January 15, 2020 for fresh fruit and vegetables importers as well.
Other sectors will be phased in gradually. For example, effective July 15, 2020, the licensing, preventive controls, PCP and traceability requirements will come into force for most businesses that import:
· confectionary
· snack foods
· non-alcoholic beverages
· oils
· dried herbs and spices
· nuts and seeds
· coffee and tea
· processed grain-based foods such as baked goods, cereals and pasta
For businesses in this sector that have less than $100,000 in annual food sales and fewer than five employees, the preventive control and PCP requirements will come into force on July 16, 2021.
The Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation specifies the legal size, weight and configuration limits for commercial vehicles on Alberta roads. The limits in the regulation have not been updated in nearly 20 years and do not reflect modern vehicle configurations and equipment.
As a result, commercial drivers in Alberta have to obtain permits for standard equipment that is allowed in most other jurisdictions, including wildlife bumpers, aerodynamic devices and wide load signs. Alberta Transportation already grants these permits for standard equipment every time they are requested.
Alberta Transportation has updated the regulation to eliminate these unnecessary permits.
The Manitoba government has introduced proposed legislation that would implement significant changes to The Workers Compensation Act, as recommended by the 2016-17 Legislative Review Committee (LRC). Other proposed changes include:
· reinstating a cap on maximum insurable earnings,
· creating an employer adviser office,
· establishing a schedule of occupational diseases,
· expanding and clarifying enforcement and collection mechanisms,
· changing the process for the appointment of board members to the WCB, and
· specifying that The Workers Compensation Board is not a government agency for the purposes of The Financial Administration Act.
The Workplace Safety and Health Amendment Act would reduce duplication, strengthen penalties for serious workplace infractions and improve the efficiency of services.
Safe at Work Ontario publishes consultation summary:
Responsible Distribution Canada participated in a number of Safe at Work Ontario stakeholder consultations. The summary of recommendations that are being considered by the Ministry of Labour are now available.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a technical correction to the batch final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) significant new use rule (SNUR) (17-1) for 145 chemical substances, which were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). After publication of the final batch SNUR, in the Federal Register of August 20, 2019, EPA became aware that the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) Registry Numbers for four chemicals – codified at 40 CFR 721.11053 (PMN P–17–0033 and P–17–0087), 721.11054 (PMN P–17–0088) and 721.11055 (PMN P–17–0101) – were incorrect. This document was issued to correct these errors.
A new substance evaluation conclusion document is now available on ECHA’s website for:
· Phenol, dodecyl-, branched (EC 310-154-3; CAS 121158-58-5), added to the CoRAP list in 2018 and evaluated by Germany;
· Quaternary ammonium compounds, di-C16-18-alkyldimethyl, chlorides (EC 295-835-2; CAS 92129-33-4), added to the CoRAP list in 2015 and evaluated by Italy; and
· Ethyl methacrylate (EC 202-597-5; CAS 97-63-2), added to the CoRAP list in 2014 and evaluated by Italy.
Safety Share
Article by Marie-Hélène Jetté and Philippe Bélisle – Langlois lawyers, LLP
The same questions come up every year: employers are wondering how to offer a memorable evening to their employees while avoiding excesses and inappropriate behaviour.
In addition to cold stress, there are other winter weather related hazards that workers may be exposed to when performing tasks such as driving in the snow, removing snow from rooftops, and working near downed or damaged power lines. Although employers cannot control roadway conditions, they can promote safe driving behavior by ensuring workers: recognize the hazards of winter weather driving, for example, driving on snow/ice covered roads; are properly trained for driving in winter weather conditions; and are licensed (as applicable) for the vehicles they operate. Employers should set and enforce driver safety policies. Employers should also implement an effective maintenance program for all vehicles and mechanized equipment that workers are required to operate.
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