Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF OCTOBER 7, 2020
Canadian Federal News
Proclamation SI/2020-64 was published in the Canada Gazette II designating Fire Prevention Week. We know that a quick and easy way to help protect yourself and your loved ones in the event of a fire is by preparing an escape plan, with two or more safe ways to exit every room and by ensuring that your home/workplace is properly equipped to detect fires.
This message is to inform you of a policy being introduced to help reduce unintentional ingestion of alcohol-based sanitizers packaged in beverage containers. The high demand for hand sanitizer has led to significant shortages in both products and standard packaging. Packaging shortages have resulted in the use of unconventional types of containers such as beverage or food containers (for example, water and wine bottles). The policy is available on the Health Canada website and is in effect as of October 2, 2020.
Based on the information presented in this draft screening assessment it is proposed to conclude that DGEBA-DA resin, soya alkyd resin, and polyurethane-33 do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA, but that PHMB (CAS RNs 32289-58-0 and 27083-27-8) does meet the criteria in section 64 of CEPA.
It is also proposed that PHMB (CAS RNs 32289-58-0 and 27083-27-8) meets the persistence criteria but not the bioaccumulation criteria as set out in the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA.
This document outlines the risk management options under consideration for poly(hexamethylenebiquanine) (PHMB) CAS RN 32289-58-0 and 27083-27-8, which has been proposed to be harmful to human health.
- AIRS Registration Type #68 – Organic Certificate format will be updated to a confirmation (C) format
Effective October 5, 2020 AIRS Registration Type #68 – Organic Certificate format will be updated to a confirmation (C) format. This update applies to Organic fresh fruits and vegetables, organic honey and maple products, organic eggs and shell egg products which require the declaration of registration #68 (i.e. a declaration of “yes”) as part of electronic declaration of import, in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID), indicating that the importer is in possession of the organic certificate. The certificate number and an uploaded copy of the certificate will not be required as part of the declaration until further notice.
Starting September 30, 2020, section 8.1 “Import permit” from the Terrestrial animal products and by-products: Import policy framework comes into effect. This change is not expected to impact import conditions or international trade.
Three separate orders were published in the Canada Gazette II on Wednesday September 30th. The following summarizes the orders:
- 6 new substances to the public Domestic Substances List (DSL)
- 18 new substances to the confidential DSL
- 1 new Significant New Activity (SNAc) order for CAS RN 756819-45-1, and
- 1 new organism to the DSL
This letter is to inform you of the publication of two errata for notices originally published on September 12, 2020, concerning the substance hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester (also known as “2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate”, Chemical Abstracts Registry Number 7425-14-1) and the substance ethanol, 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]- (also referred to as AEEA under the Chemicals Management Plan; Chemical Abstracts Registry Number 111-41-1).
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is now accepting applications for the 2021 Dick Martin Scholarship Award.
CCOHS will award two scholarships worth $3,000 each to one university student and one college student pursuing their education in a field related to occupational health and safety. Examples of programs eligible for this scholarship include mine safety, occupational or industrial health and safety, industrial hygiene, safety management or other related safety degree program. CCOHS will also award $500 to the academic institutions of each winning student.
This consultation seeks feedback on the document Feed Regulatory Modernization – Pre Canada Gazette, Part I Publication Consultation, which provides an overview of the proposed changes to the Feeds Regulations and the potential economic impacts of these changes.
These consultations will seek comments on issues related to the PCB regulations in particular with respect to safe disposal and future compliance challenges with the PCB Regulations.
The above referenced draft guidance was released by the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Assembly for consultation and is being posted on the ICH website for information and comment in accordance with Step 2 of the ICH process. Comments provided to Health Canada should be submitted by December 21, 2020 in order to allow sufficient time for their assessment and subsequent transmission to the ICH.
Canadian Provincial News
Employers will have to pay their premiums for Q1, Q2, and Q3 in full by this date, and return to their regular reporting and payment schedule going forward.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is seeking feedback on regulatory amendments and a new proposed regulation for the modernization of the Hazardous Waste Program. The proposed regulatory amendments would transition the delivery of hazardous waste digital reporting services to the Authority and change registration and reporting requirements to support electronic service delivery. The consultation period is open until November 2, 2020.
A person in a room below an area undergoing renovations was struck by debris from through the ceiling, where a worker was cutting through the floor. The defendant worker failed to ensure that the core drilling system was used in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating manual.
The draft Regulation also makes consequential amendments to harmonize the Regulation with the Regulation respecting a cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances (chapter Q-2, r. 46.1).
WorkSafeNB has learned of recent phishing and call scams in New Brunswick telling employers their WHSCC “license” has expired.
The email and phone scam use the abbreviation WHSCC (this is our organizations former name and stands for the Workers Health and Safety Compensation Commission.) Official WorkSafeNB emails or phone calls do not use the WHSCC or WSNB abbreviations.
Be on the lookout for fishing emails:
- Watch for spelling and grammatical mistakes. If an email includes spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors, it’s likely a sign you’ve received a phishing email. Delete it.
- Look for generic greetings. Phishing emails are unlikely to use your name. Greetings like “Dear sir or madam” signal an email is not legitimate.
- Avoid emails that insist you act now. Phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or demand immediate action. The goal is to get you to click on a link and provide personal information — right now. Instead, delete the message.
Employers who wish to file a complaint on the tactics of a company can contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1 888 495-8501.
US News
The US Food and Drug Administration is proposing to establish additional traceability recordkeeping requirements (beyond what is already required in existing regulations) for persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods the Agency has designated for inclusion on the Food Traceability List. The proposed rule, “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods” (Food Traceability Proposed Rule) is a key component of the FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety Blueprint and would implement Section 204(d) of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The proposed requirements would help the FDA rapidly and effectively identify recipients of those foods to prevent or mitigate foodborne illness outbreaks and address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death. The proposed rule will be available for public comment for 120 days following publication in the Federal Register.
International News
The completeness check will be extended to chemical safety reports, to ensure they contain all the elements required under REACH. More explicit checks on key hazard endpoints will also be included in the revision.
Other Relevant Information
Safety Share
It is best to stay home and only be in close contact with people in your bubble or when you’re getting essential products or services. But if you must plan a small event it is important to remember to:
- Make sure the size of your gathering meets local public health authority guidelines.
- Stay 2 metres apart.
- Wear a mask.
- Use disposable dishes and cutlery.
- Ask guests to bring their own food and drinks and avoid sharing snack bowls or using hands to eat from the same bowl.
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