Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF JANUARY 21, 2020
Canadian Federal News
Transport Canada has confirmed plans to host a consultation webinar on January 22, 2019 to share their finalized policy approach to their development of a Client Information Database. The expectation is they will present their revised approach which amalgamates requirements outlined in the OAG audit findings and other relevant Government of Canada audits, while addressing stakeholder questions and feedback gathered over the years. Question can be directed to:TC.TDGStakeholderInformation-InformationsintervenantsTMD.TC@tc.gc.ca
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) are one year old as of January 15, 2020 and while it’s an important milestone, it’s just the beginning of Canada’s food safety modernization campaign. Effective January 15, 2020, new requirements come into force for fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) businesses engaged in import, export or interprovincial trade.
Between July and November 2019, Health Canada authorized 20 new drugs and medical devices to treat a range of health issues.
As part of ongoing efforts to improve client service, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is making improvements to the systems and tools used by importers and brokers during the import declaration process.
For instance, as of January 19th, 2020, the CFIA will be updating web links to the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) and the Automated Shipment Inspection Status Search Tool (ASISST).
Rail Association of Canada published 2020 training and inspection service fees. Please be advised of the rates for Inspection and Training services in 2020 being offered by the Rail Association of Canada.
Canadian Provincial News
If you have an idea that could help improve workplace health and safety? The Innovation at Work research grant can help you develop your idea into a solution that makes a difference in the workplace.
Changes to the joint work site health and safety committee requirements came into effect on December 13, 2019. Learn about the new HSC requirements and about the new training requirements.
Manitoba Finance is reminding employers to ensure workers are adequately trained to perform their duties and to have adequate safeguards in place for machines, after two employers were prosecuted for violations of The Workplace Safety and Health Act and its associated regulations.
WSPS Safety Connection events are focused, timely sessions that have been designed to help you stay ahead of legislative changes, engage in discussions on relevant health & safety topics and leave with ideas and actions to address specific business needs. These 2-hour interactive sessions are available for FREE to all health & safety professionals at various locations across the province.
US News
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an urgent alert about recently discovered vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows. Microsoft has released a patch for these vulnerabilities. DHS urges all entities that use these Windows platforms to install the patches immediately.
This final rule requires persons who intend to manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or process any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. Persons may not commence manufacture or processing for the significant new use until EPA has conducted a review of the notice, made an appropriate determination on the notice, and has taken such actions as are required by that determination.
Employers are reminded that they must post their 2019 Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) from February 1 to April 30 each year.
Determination of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans from Stationary Sources. This action proposes editorial and technical revisions to the EPA’s Method 23. PA is also proposing revisions that will expand the list of target compounds of Method 23 to include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
On December 31, 2019, the Office of Administrative Law approved amendments to Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 25600.2, subsections (b), (c), (f) and (i), Responsibility to Provide Consumer Product Exposure Warnings. These amendments provide more specific guidance for manufacturers, retailers and other businesses in the chain of commerce on how to satisfy their responsibilities to provide consumer product exposure warnings for chemicals listed under Proposition 65. This regulatory action becomes effective on April 1, 2020.
International News
ECHA has added three new substances to the Candidate List due to their toxicity to reproduction and a fourth due to a combination of other properties of concern. This latter causes probable serious effects to human health and the environment, giving rise to an equivalent level of concern to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR), persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) substances.
With more than 200 countries agreeing to usher in a new class of refrigerants, effective this year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and its research affiliate, the Fire Protection Research Foundation (Research Foundation), have released free online training for the fire service, as well as an instructor-led training module to educate firefighters about the potential hazards associated with new refrigeration and cooling units.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
A new Earthquake Hazard Alert focuses on keeping emergency response workers safe.
Radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Basements, crawlspaces, and underground facilities may pose a higher risk of exposure since radon enters buildings through cracks in the foundation, pipe openings, and other places where the building has contact with and is open to the ground. Radon levels on the main floor of buildings may also be elevated if there is an entry point (e.g. cracks in the concrete slab) and ventilation
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