Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2021
Canadian Federal News
The Minister of Environment and the Minister of Health have conducted a screening assessment of methanone, diphenyl-, herein referred to as benzophenone. Benzophenone was identified as a priority for assessment as it met the categorization criteria under subsection 73(1) of CEPA. The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CAS RN) for this substance is 119-61-9. On the basis of the information presented in this screening assessment, it is concluded that benzophenone meets the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA, as it is 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. Risk management measures under consideration are to reduce exposure from certain cosmetic products by describing benzophenone as a prohibited or restricted ingredient on Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. A measure to reduce the concentration to a maximum of 0.1% 9w/w) is certain paints and coatings that are available to consumers is also being considered.
Over the coming weeks, the Government of Canada will hold virtual roundtables with diverse groups of people from a range of regions, sectors and industries, including those hardest hit by the pandemic. These roundtables are an opportunity to discuss the very real challenges Canadians are facing and listen to ways that the government can ensure a robust recovery that leaves no one behind.
Most importantly, all Canadians are invited to share their ideas through an online questionnaire at LetsTalkBudget2021.ca, which will be available until February 19, 2021
DEL Bulletin LEPP No 106 Health Canada Nitrosamines Webinar, February 10, 2021
Health Canada is holding a virtual Nitrosamines Session on February 10, 2021 from 8:30 – 12 pm EST.
This webinar provides an opportunity to learn more about Health Canada’s current and anticipated Nitrosamine activities, and to provide feedback.
Further details on this event, including the objectives and instructions for registration, can be found in the accompanying attachment.
A Canadian company doing business as Revive You Media (1806369 Alberta Limited) pleaded guilty today in the Provincial Court of Ontario for promoting deceptive free trial offers for health and dietary supplements that trapped consumers into monthly subscriptions.
On December 10, 2017, the Compagnie d’Arrimage de Québec Ltée, while unloading a ship at the Port of Québec, failed to take all necessary measures to prevent the discharge of an estimated 500 kilograms of fertilizer into the St. Lawrence River, contrary to the provisions of subsection 38(6) of the Fisheries Act.
The list of products that have received Temporary Marketing Authorization Letters has been updated with 17 products, and 7 Temporary Marketing Authorizations have been revoked, withdrawn or expired, as of December 31, 2020.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is hosting a webinar that will cover updates for the 2021 North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, effective April, 1, 2021, as well as new inspection bulletins. This webinar will also outline information in the new training videos, available for use during in-service training. The webinar is being held on February 3, 2021 1:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada).
The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development studies the programs and legislation of Environment Canada, Parks Canada and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency as well as reports of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The upcoming meeting will include a number of witnesses from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
In 2018, 41% of businesses used at least one environmental management practice. These practices are protocols that businesses adopt in order to reduce their environmental impact. Using an environmental management system was the most common practice (reported by 22% of businesses), followed by developing or following a pollution prevention plan (20%) and performing a greenhouse gas emissions inventory (13%).
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of caramel as a colouring agent in a flavouring preparation used in the manufacture of flavoured cheddar cheese. As no safety concerns were identified through Health Canada’s assessment, the Department has enabled the use of caramel as a food additive described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Colouring Agents, effective January 22, 2021.
Canadian Provincial News
On January 27, 2021, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved policy changes to the effective date for classification changes due to a change in business operations.
Workplace Safety & Prevention Service (WSPS) has launched a new small business safety podcast. Each month, WSPS hosts will walk you through simple steps you can to take to stay in compliance and make your workplace safer. You’ll come away with helpful tips and advice you can put immediately into practice.
To help ensure workplaces have appropriate measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, WorkSafeNB has teamed with Public Safety to enhance enforcement efforts throughout the province. The results have been positive and the employers of the province have been extremely co-operative.
US News
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing the proposed regulatory requirements described in the three proposed rules that are identified in this document. This document summarizes the proposed rules and provides a brief explanation for the Agency’s decision not to finalize the proposed actions.
International News
As of 1 March 2021, manual completeness checks performed by European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) staff will be extended to chemical safety reports to ensure they contain all the elements required under REACH.
The extended completeness check will apply to both new registrations and updates of existing ones. Registrants should, therefore, prepare for the changes, as registrations submitted before 1 March may no longer pass the completeness check. Advice on chemical safety reports is available in the Information on manual verification at completeness check. The completeness check of chemical safety reports was originally scheduled to start in April 2020.
- Europe intends to restrict 2,4-dinitrotoluene
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The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has submitted an intention to restrict the placing on the market, or use, of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (EC 204-450-0, CAS 121-14-2), as a substance in articles for supply to the general public or to professional workers in concentrations above 0.1 %. The restriction proposal is expected on 16 July 2021. A call for evidence started on 27 January 2021 and will be open until 10 March 2021.
- Outcomes of the sixteenth meeting of the POPs Review Committee
The objective of these online meetings is to inform Parties and observers to the Stockholm Convention and other stakeholders on the outcomes of the sixteenth meeting of the Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC).
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
Here are the five steps to keep up with new rules
- Develop a COVID-19 safety plan if you haven’t already done so, and follow it. “The process is straightforward: just follow a safety plan guide and template developed by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.” WSPS offers sample sector-specific safety plans to help you populate your plan.
- Assign an employee to serve as a pandemic compliance officer responsible for determining what’s required now, actively tracking changes, and ensuring your workplace exceeds its obligations. Monitor provincial and local news sources, and bookmark the website of your local public health unit so that your compliance officer can check regularly for new orders.
- Communicate changes in legal requirements and workplace controls to employees, and reinforce everyone’s responsibilities under the Internal Responsibility System.
- Look for gaps in your planning, especially as rules evolve, with this operational planning tool.
- Follow the enforcement activities of provincial and local police, bylaw officers and workplace inspectors. The focus of these activities may indicate possible opportunities for improvement in your workplace. Expect the focus to shift as priorities change.
(OHS Canada, January 15, 2021) According to the Government of Canada, more than 80 people in Canada die each year from over-exposure to the cold, and many more suffer injuries resulting from trench foot, immersion foot, hypothermia, frostnip and frostbite. That’s why it’s important to keep workers safe from the hazards of the cold — including the hazards we can’t visibly see.
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