Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14, 2019
Canadian Federal News
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of l-lysine monohydrochloride in certain processed snack foods to inhibit acrylamide formation during their manufacture. As no safety concerns were raised through Health Canada’s assessment, the Department has enabled the food additive use of l-lysine monohydrochloride described in the information document by updating the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses, effective November 6, 2019.
This national public review will run from October 22, 2019 to December 23, 2019.
The Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) invites Code users and stakeholders to participate in the fall 2019 public review of proposed changes to Codes Canada publications:
- National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC)
- National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC)
- National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 (NPC)
Canadian Provincial News
To reduce the number of slips, trips and falls at your workplace, make sure you understand why they happen and use properly designed workspaces and work methods.
This important Bill has completed first and second readings as has been ordered referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.
Creating a one-stop shop for annual transport truck safety and emissions.
Each year, Ontario trucks must complete multiple inspections to ensure that they are meeting Ontario’s high environmental standards and safety requirements. These inspections are important, so we are creating a one-stop approach — one place, one test, one result — for trucking companies to complete annual safety inspection and emissions testing.
Safeguarding our environment and protecting public health by creating strong, clear penalties for environmental violations – The broader use of strong monetary penalties will allow the government to take strong action against illegal activity, protect our environment, and level the playing field for responsible businesses.
Schedule 14 amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to repeal Section 34 – new substances reporting to the Ministry of Labour.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing to change the mandate of the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (the Authority) to include digital reporting services through its registry for a wider range of waste and resource recovery programs. Combining digital services would save businesses time and money as there would be a larger group of users sharing common program costs and benefiting from the Authority’s modern registry. The proposed changes will also ensure that ministry resources are focused on risk-based program compliance and enforcement activities, so that polluters are held accountable.
Ontario decided to proceed with ending acetone reporting in Ontario. This will align us with the federal government and other provinces that have not required acetone release reporting since 1998 and reduce burden for business without compromising protection of human health and the environment.
A worker employed by a roofing company was injured when a dump truck that was being tested for emissions moved, pinning the worker against a waste bin.
Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will increase by 60 cents to $12.85 per hour on April 1, 2020.
The Employment Standards Board reviews minimum wage annually and provides their recommendation to government after the review is complete.
US News
(ILO) On 11 October 2019 the US International Trade Commission (ITC) began accepting petitions as part of the 2019 Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process. Under this process, a member of the public may request that Congress temporarily eliminate or reduce duty on an imported article for three years. Petitions are due no later than 10 December 2019 at 5:15pm Eastern Standard Time via the ITC online portal.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of and soliciting public
comment on the draft Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation of N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The purpose of the risk evaluation process under TSCA is to determine, upon issuance of a final risk evaluation, whether a chemical substance presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use, including an unreasonable risk to a relevant potentially exposed or susceptible subpopulation. EPA is also submitting the same document to the TSCA Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review and is announcing that there will be an in-person public meeting of the TSCA SACC to consider and review the draft risk evaluation. Preceding the in-person meeting, there will be a preparatory virtual public meeting for the panel to consider the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for the peer review. All comments on the draft risk evaluation must be received on or before January 6, 2020.
International News
There is clear scientific evidence that foods of plant origin may serve as a vehicle of foodborne exposure to antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Aquaculture products can also carry bacteria that are resistant to medically important antimicrobials. As such, concerted efforts should be made to mitigate their contamination at all stages of the food chain, from production to consumption. Notably, antimicrobials should only be used in crop production according to label guidelines in the context of integrated pest management strategies. To improve food safety, best management practices should be adhered to with respect to the use of human and animal wastes for soil amendment purposes and for the prevention of environmental contamination where aquatic animals are raised for food. Foods of plant and aquatic animal origin food incorporated in to integrated surveillance plans for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring. Because of the theoretical potential for disinfecting chemical to co-select for AMR, biocides should be used according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
The European Commission has granted authorisations for six uses for the following substances:
- sodium dichromate (EC 234-190-3, CAS 10588- 01-9, 7789-12-0) for one use to ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH with a review period expiring on 21 September 2024;
- chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8, CAS 1333-82-0) for three uses to ZF Luftfahrttechnik GmbH and Wesco Aircraft EMEA Limited with a review period expiring on 21 September 2024; and
- sodium chromate (EC 231-889-5, CAS 7775-11-3) for two uses to Aviall Services Inc. and Wesco Aircraft EMEA Limited with a review period expiring on 21 September 2024.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
When driving, avoid taking medications that make you drowsy. You are your employer’s most valuable asset! The way that you drive says everything about you and your company. Make a positive statement by following these work-related safe driving practices.
Every year, up to 45,000 Canadians suffer from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) – a medical term for when the heart stops beating. Without prompt medical attention to restore the natural flow of blood throughout the sufferer’s body, he or she may die. What’s worse? In most cases, there are no warning signs before its onset. So how can we protect ourselves from SCA if we cannot predict when it will happen?
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