Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 3, 2022
Importers and exporters who use the HS codes in the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) should review the 2022 HS Code structure table for updates and use the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) and/or the AIRS Verification Tool (AVS) to verify that their HS codes are valid. Please check your HS and AIRS Codes and update your product profiles accordingly to avoid delays clearing customs. Scientific knowledge to assess the exposure to nanomaterials continues to improve. The OECD compiled an inventory of available models and tools for assessing occupational, consumer and environmental exposure to Nanomaterials. 54 tools and models were initially compiled and following in-depth analyses, 10 occupational, 7 consumer and 6 environmental tools/models were recommended or evaluated as suitable for assessing exposure to nanomaterials. Over one-third of the food produced in the United States is never eaten, wasting the resources used to produce it and creating a myriad of environmental impacts. Food waste is the single most common material landfilled and incinerated in the U.S., comprising 24 and 22 percent of landfilled and combusted municipal solid waste, respectively. Reducing and preventing food waste can increase food security, foster productivity and economic efficiency, promote resource and energy conservation, and address climate change. Federal The proposed Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations (the proposed Regulations) would prohibit the manufacture, import, and sale of six categories of SUPs (i.e. checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware made from or containing problematic plastics, ring carriers, stir sticks, and straws). The proposed changes to the structure of the 15 Lists of Permitted Food Additives would bring consistency as all the Lists would have the same five columns, as shown in the table above. Column 1 would be renamed “Food Additive”. Column 2 would be new in 14 of the 15 Lists and would be named “Source”. This would allow the Food Directorate to identify the source of certain food additives, mostly food enzymes but also the sources of other food additives. Column 3 would be renamed “Food”. Column 4 would be new for 14 of the 15 Lists and would be named “Purpose of Use”. Finally, Column 5 would be named “Maximum Level of Use or Maximum Residue and Other Conditions”. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its National Survey for Potato Wart ahead of schedule, and potato wart was not detected. The national survey conducted this fall involved soil testing across areas of Canada that grow seed potatoes (except Newfoundland) to confirm that unregulated areas of Canada remain free from this pest. The Accessible Canada Regulations (the Regulations) operationalize the planning and reporting requirements in the Accessible Canda Act (ACA) and establish a framework to promote compliance with accessibility requirements under the ACA. The Regulations apply to entities under federal jurisdiction including federally regulated private sector entities. The Government of Canada will be holding a consultation with stakeholders, such as federally regulated employers and employees, on proposed amendments to the Canada Labour Standards Regulations. The consultation ends on February 21, 2022. This Notice of Consultation provides an opportunity to comment on the proposal to remove “Betaine or its salts” from the Veterinary part of the Prescription Drug List (PDL). Only the Veterinary part of the PDL is proposed to be revised. The consultation closes March 7, 2022.
Employers and workers throughout B.C. are reminded that, as of Jan. 1, 2022, eligible employees are entitled to a minimum of five paid sick days each year if they have worked at the organization for at least 90 days. Legislation will come into force on January 1, 2022, that clarifies that the definition of harassment includes any unwelcome action of a sexual nature. In addition, independent contractors, students and volunteers will be included in the definition of workers protected from any form of harassment. The Ontario government has raised the general minimum wage to $15.00 per hour starting January 1, 2022. Premier Dennis King has announced that a four-day isolation will now be required for fully vaccinated travellers with a PEI pass arriving in Prince Edward Island. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released for public comment a draft revision to the risk determination for cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD) pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) section 6(b). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s efforts to address the human health and ecological risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the Agency announced it was granting a petition from six North Carolina public health and environmental justice organizations to compel companies to conduct testing of certain PFAS. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking action to expand the scope of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements to include certain contract sterilization facilities that are not currently reporting on ethylene oxide (EtO) releases. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Systematic Review Protocol. The protocol will strengthen EPA’s approach to reviewing and selecting the scientific studies that are used to inform TSCA chemical risk evaluations and ensure that EPA has the best tools under TSCA to protect human health and the environment. The release of the 15th Report on Carcinogens (RoC), which includes eight newly reviewed substances, bringing the cumulative total to 256 listings. NTP Technical Report on the Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (CASRN 117-81-7) Administered in Feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) Rats (TR-601) is now available. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated three guidance documents for food producers covered by the FDA’s regulations for Juice Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Seafood HACCP, and Low-Acid Canned Foods to explain the connection between the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations and pre-FSMA regulations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting nominations for membership for the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). The full Committee consists of 20 members, and each person selected is expected to serve a 2-year term. The USDA is announcing Committee vacancies to minority businesses and organizations, consumer groups, businesses, media, local and state governments, and academia to attract and appoint diverse candidates. The USDA expects to appoint new Committee members for the entire committee in 2022. An updated listing of substances Known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity has been published effective December 31, 2021. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to bring to your attention a report published by USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in the Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report database regarding certain food products that are currently exported to China. This information may be particularly useful for firms that are required to self-register facilities prior to January 1, 2022. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published an assessment concluding that at present there is no need to restrict the use of arsenic acid in articles in accordance with article 69(2) of REACH. Safety Share This bulletin provides guidance for verifying compliance with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) during a roadside inspection and encourages roadside enforcement for the 2022 registration year, effective Jan.1, 2022. Extreme cold is a workplace hazard. That means employers need to take steps to reduce risks to workers associated with cold weather such as severe cold stress and hypothermia.
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