Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
RDC submitted requests to Transport Canada to renew the certificates until at least December 31, 2020. Transport listened and has heard industry. The certificates have been given an extension to January 31, 2021. The Temporary Use Permits TU 0750.1 Training and TU 0751.2 Testing and Inspection Requirements have been renewed. The industry challenge now is to get the training and inspections caught up before we might be restricted again with a second wave of COVID lockdowns.
The draft screening assessment for the Petroleum Coke Group has been published. It is proposed to conclude that these substances do not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).
The draft screening assessment for thallium and its compounds has been published. It is proposed to conclude that thallium and its compounds may be harmful to the environment and meet the criteria under section 64(a) of CEPA. A risk management scope has been published concurrently to initiate discussions with stakeholders on the risk management options being considered.
The draft screening assessment for Silanamine, 1,1,1-trimethyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-, hydrolysis products with silica (also referred to as TMSS) has been published. It is proposed to conclude that the substance does not meet any of the criteria set out in section 64 of CEPA.
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. Imported animal products and by-products can potentially transmit diseases of concern if exposed to domestic animals, and can harm Canada’s livestock populations, reduce or halt agricultural production, and adversely impact Canada’s economy. Animal diseases can also adversely impact animal welfare, harm wild animal populations, and in the case of zoonotic diseases threaten the safety of Canada’s people.
Transport Canada is pleased to inform you that the 2020 edition of the Emergency Response Guidebook is now available. If you use the app for your smart phone it should have automatically updated. The 2020 edition includes updates such as:
- information on how to use the safety recommendations and emergency response guides;
- a comprehensive review of the guides for products and additional cautionary advice
- an expansion of the glossary of new terms and definitions;
- new sections on decontamination and heat induced tears on tank cars, and
- new visual identifiers for quicker access to information.
Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (CITREM) in whole protein-based infant formulas for special dietary purposes.
CITREM is already permitted for use as an emulsifying agent in infant formula based on crystalline amino acids or protein hydrolysates, or both.
The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of CITREM for its requested use. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of CITREM described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents, effective September 18, 2020.
Global Affairs Canada is renewing its 2014 corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, Canada’s Enhanced CSR Strategy, Doing Business the Canadian Way – A Strategy to Advance Corporate Social Responsibility in Canada’s Extractive Sector. In order to inform the renewed Strategy, Global Affairs is seeking views of a renewed responsible business conduct (RBC) strategy which will frame Canada’s approach to responsible business conduct abroad for the next five years. Although the previous strategy focused on the Extractive Sector, we are currently seeking views across all industry sectors.
As of September 17th the list of authorized manufactures permitted to use technical grade ethanol has increased to 103.
Process safety management focuses on preventing these outcomes by proactively managing the risks of fires, explosions, chemical releases, and structural collapses.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has pleaded guilty to one count under environmental legislation related to a release of chlorine gas at their water treatment plant.
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development published a new Employment Standards Poster: Version 9.0. The poster describes important rights and requirements under the Employment Standards Act (ESA) and must be provided to employees who are covered under the ESA within 30 days of their hire date. Note that employers are no longer required to post the employment standards poster in the workplace.
Minimum wage rates in Ontario will increase on October 1, 2020. Under the Making Ontario Open for Business Act this increase is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index for 2020. The increase to the general minimum wage will be 25 cents, which will bring the new rate to $14.25 an hour.
Wondering about the safety record of a business? With the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s (WSIB) newly updated Safety Check feature, it’s never been easier to check the safety record of businesses across Ontario. You can find out how safe a business is and compare health and safety results of similar businesses
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has extended the Hours of Service National Emergency Declaration. This extension continues the exemption granted from Parts 390 through 399 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) for the fifty States and the District of Columbia as set forth below. This notice extends the exemption through December 31, 2020, subject to the restrictions and limitations set forth in this Extension.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator (FMCSA) today announced it will be launching a new panel to its Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) comprised of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. This new panel will provide direct feedback to FMCSA on important issues facing the driving community—such as safety, hours-of-service regulations, training, parking, and driver experience.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute has created free independent study courses:
- IS-120.c – An Introduction to Exercise
- IS-130.a – How to be an Exercise Evaluator
- IS-139.a – Exercise Design and Development
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Template
- Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) table top exercise package (CTEP)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profits to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) to provide advice and recommendations to two Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panels. There will be one panel for methylene chloride and one panel for 1-bromopropane. Each will focus on the agency’s development of proposed rules to address unreasonable risks identified in EPA’s recently completed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluations for these chemicals.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs) and are subject to Orders issued by EPA pursuant to TSCA. This action requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing manufacture (defined by statute to include import) or processing of any of these chemical substances for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by this rule. The required notification initiates EPA’s evaluation of the chemical under the conditions of use within the applicable review period. 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 as a result of that determination. This rule is effective on November 16, 2020. For purposes of judicial review, this rule shall be promulgated at 1 p.m. (EST) on October 1, 2020.
The EPA published a technical correction for PMN P-19-24 as the Chemical Abstract Services Registry Number was incorrectly identified (P-19-24, CASRN 2231249-14-0).
The consolidated opinion of the Committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-economic Analysis for the use of Pitch, coal tar, high-temp. (EC 266-028-2, CAS 65996-93-2) and Anthracene oil (EC 292-602-7, CAS 90640-80-5) by Rain Carbon bvba is available on our website.
The European Chemicals Agency’s website indicates that 29 substances are being proposed for testing and that 2 guidance references for registration and data sharing have been sent to the Partner Expert Group (PEG). Draft updated guidance on the compilation of safety data sheets is also featured this week.
Safety Share
The Government of Canada, in collaboration with other orders of government and across sectors, has developed a new nation-wide mobile app to let users know if they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The app, called COVID Alert, has already been implemented in Ontario and will soon be rolling out in other provinces across the country. It is available to all Canadians for free download, in the App Store and Google Play Store.
We invite you to read the attached documents, which provide further information on the COVID Alert app.
NSF International is helping consumers choose the most suitable face mask to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19. Do your part – use the “Three Fs” to choose the best mask for you:
- FIT: Masks should fit snugly and cover your mouth and nose, with no gaps or openings. If you feel air coming in from the sides/top/bottom when you breathe, adjust the fit to close the gaps.
- FIBER: Natural fibers like cotton or wool have rougher threads and are better than paper or synthetics at trapping water droplets that carry disease. Look for masks with at least two layers; some masks have a pocket for an extra layer of fabric, paper towel, or even a coffee filter.
- FLOW: You should be able to breathe comfortably through your mask. If breathing is difficult because the mask is too heavy or for health reasons (asthma, etc.), choose a lighter mask you can wear as long as possible. A lighter mask is better than no mask at all.
NSF International is a global public health organization, with more than 75 years of experience protecting the water we drink, the food we eat, the air we breathe and the environment we share.
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