REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF FEBRUARY 5, 2020

• National Pollutants Release Inventory data user workshop planned for February 25th 

The main themes of this workshop are:

• To illustrate the versatility of the NPRI by showcasing the work of various advanced data users.
• To use design-thinking to understand the needs of advanced NPRI data users, and how they could be better met.
• To share best practices and lessons learned.

• International Roadcheck set for May5-7 with emphasis on driver requirements 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) International Roadcheck will take place May 5-7. International Roadcheck is a high-volume, high-visibility three-day enforcement initiative that highlights the importance of commercial motor vehicle safety through roadside inspections. Over that 72-hour period, commercial motor vehicle inspectors in jurisdictions throughout North America will conduct inspections on commercial motor vehicles and drivers.

• Publication of the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution 

According to the information presented in the draft science assessment, plastic pollution, in the form of macroplastics and microplastics, is ubiquitous in the environment. Macroplastics have been demonstrated to cause physical harm to environmental receptors on an individual level and to have the potential to adversely affect habitat integrity. The evidence for potential effects of microplastic pollution on environmental receptors and on human health is less clear and warrants further research. The draft assessment finds that there are many sources that contribute to plastic pollution. It recommends pursuing action to reduce the presence of plastic pollution in the environment. It also recommends further research be conducted to address key knowledge gaps identified.

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency updates guidance on traceability 

The Traceability section has been updated. This includes:

• minor editorial changes, such as the re-organization of the questions and answers; and
• the addition of new questions and answers including 7b., 8a., and 8b.

• Bill C-3 independent review of the Canada Border Services Agency 

Bill C-3 proposes to add an independent review and complaints function overseeing the CBSA to the Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC), which currently provides that function for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). To reflect these new responsibilities, the CRCC would be renamed the Public Complaints and Review Commission (PCRC).

• Health Canada sets new cyanide limit to mitigate risks associated with eating apricot kernels 

Health Canada has modified the regulatory List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods, to add a new maximum level of 20 parts per million (p.p.m.) total extractable cyanide in apricot kernels sold for human consumption, which is also applicable to apricot kernels used as an ingredient in other foods. This change is effective January 25, 2020.

• Ministerial Condition 20160 published 

The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health (the ministers) have assessed information pertaining to the substance 9-octadecenoic acid (Z)-, compd. with (Z)-N-9-octadecenyl-1,3-propanediamine, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 40027-38 1.

• Publication after screening assessment— nonane, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethyl- (heptamethylnonanel HMN) 

Publication after screening assessment of a substance — nonane, 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethyl- (heptamethylnonane; HMN), CAS RN footnote1 4390-04-9.  On the basis of the information presented in this draft screening assessment, it is proposed to conclude that HMN does not meet the criteria under paragraph 64(c) of CEPA, as it is 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.

• Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2019 

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to subsection 46(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act), that, with respect to emissions of GHGs identified in Schedule 1 to this notice and for the purpose of conducting research, creating an inventory of data, formulating objectives and codes of practice, issuing guidelines or assessing or reporting on the state of the environment, any person who operates a facility described in Schedule 3 to this notice during the 2019 calendar year, and who possesses or who may reasonably be expected to have access to information described in Schedules 4 through 18 to this notice, shall provide the Minister of the Environment with this information no later than June 1, 2020.

• Notice of Intent: Significant New Activity Notice published for Mitotane 

The notice of intent (NOI) is an opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amendment to the Domestic Substances List (DSL) to apply the significant new activity (SNAc) provisions of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) to the substance benzene, 1-chloro-2-[2,2-dichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]- (also known as mitotane, Chemical Abstracts Service [CAS] Registry No. 53-19-0), pursuant to subsection 87(3) of that Act.

• Ontario to blitz for machine guarding 

Machine guarding hazards will be the focus of an inspection initiative from February 17 to March 31. Get ready by concentrating on six areas identified in previous blitzes.

• Nova Scotia amends the Air Quality Regulations and Fire Safety Regulations 

Nova Scotia has published Regulation 3/2020 to amend the Fire Safety Regulations and Regulation 8/2020 to amend the Air Quality Regulations.

• US extends compliance date for entry-level driver training 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is amending its December 8, 2016, final rule, “Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators” (ELDT final rule), by extending the compliance date for the rule from February 7, 2020, to February 7, 2022. This action will provide FMCSA additional time to complete development of the Training Provider Registry (TPR).

• Europe publishes Restriction report on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) published 

The Annex XV report on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances (EC -, CAS -) from Germany is now available.

• Australia publishes consultation paper on proposed fees and charges 

Our new scheme, AICIS, starts on 1 July 2020. We’ve just published a consultation paper on proposed fees and charges under AICIS. The consultation is open until 13 March. Our paper outlines how we propose to recover the costs of running AICIS through fees and charges imposed on industrial chemical importers and manufacturers from 1 July 2020.

• eChemPortal: Global Portal to Information on Chemical Substances 

The OECD is pleased to announce the release of eChemPortal version 3.0. This new version includes a modernisation of the user interface architecture, a refreshed design, improved navigation and the alignment of eChemPortal to OECD Harmonised Template (OHT) 2018. The user experience is now more fluid and the user can search for chemical information more efficiently.

New features include quick search functionality from the homepage, filtering and sorting on results tables, and a preliminary indication of the number of results expected in a search by chemical properties. The searches also have been harmonised to be more intuitive for the user.

Safety Share

• What should I include in a winter driving kit? 

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – A well-stocked winter driving kit helps to handle any emergency. It should include:

• Properly fitting tire chains.
• Bag of sand or salt (or kitty litter).
• Tow rope.
• Traction mats.
• Snow shovel.
• Snow brush.
• Ice scraper.
• Booster cables.
• Warning devices such as flares or emergency lights.
• Fuel line de-icer (methanol, also called methyl alcohol or methyl hydrate).
• Extra windshield wiper fluid appropriate for sub-freezing temperatures.
• Roll of paper towels.
• Flashlight and a portable flashing light (and extra batteries).
• Blanket.
• Extra clothing, including hat and wind-proof pants, and warm footwear.
• First aid kit.
• Snack bars or other “emergency” food and water.
• Matches and emergency candles – only use with a window opened to prevent build-up of carbon monoxide.
• Road maps.
• “Call Police” or other help signs or brightly coloured banners.