Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 23 November 2004

The purpose of the proposed New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms) [the "proposed Regulations"] is to implement part of a new regulatory structure for new substances notification under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 ("the Act"). The proposed regulatory structure carves out the provisions related to organisms in the existing New Substances Notification Regulations (NSNR). Background The New Substances Program ("NS Program") ensures that no new substance (chemical, polymer, or living organism) is imported into, or manufactured in, Canada before a formal assessment of its potential risks to the environment and human health has been completed and any appropriate risk management measures have been taken. Parts I, II and III of the NSNR for chemicals and polymers came into force in 1994, and were amended in 1997 to include both provisions for biochemicals and biopolymers (G/TBT/Notif.96/327) and Part II.1 for new substances that are organisms (G/SPS/N/CAN/13). The proposed Regulations are part of a new regulatory structure that divides the NSNR into two distinct Regulations: 1. New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers), which apply to chemicals (including biochemicals) and polymers (including biopolymers) that are for a use not covered under other federal legislation listed in Schedule 2 of the Act; and 2. New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms), which apply to living organisms that are for a use not covered under other federal legislation listed in Schedule 4 of the Act. Such living organisms may include micro-organisms used in bioremediation or micro-organisms used for the production of biochemicals or biopolymers (e.g. enzymes). New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms) Despite the significant change in the overarching regulatory structure for the notification of new substances, there are only minor amendments to the provisions relating to organisms previously contained in Part II.1 of the NSNR and now contained within the proposed Regulations. Three additional changes in the proposed Regulations are more substantive, but nonetheless have no cost implications for notifiers or the Government of Canada.

Products Covered: Organisms (ICS: 13.020, 07.100)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

This Sri Lanka standard for Blended hydraulic cements covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical and physical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of blended hydraulic cements using natural or artificial Pozzolanic material or slag with ordinary Portland cement clinker.

Products Covered: Blended hydraulic cements  HS Code: 25.23.90

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

This Sri Lanka standard for Blended hydraulic cements covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical and physical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of blended hydraulic cements using natural or artificial Pozzolanic material or slag with ordinary Portland cement clinker.

Products Covered: Blended hydraulic cements  HS Code: 25.23.90

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

Sri Lanka standard for Portland limestone cement covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical, physical and mechanical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of Portland limestone cement.

Products Covered: Portland Lime Stone Cement  HS Code: 25.23.29

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

Sri Lanka standard for Portland limestone cement covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical, physical and mechanical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of Portland limestone cement.

Products Covered: Portland Lime Stone Cement  HS Code: 25.23.29

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Portugal, with the exception of products obtained from swine that have undergone a thermal or chemical treatment ensuring the destruction of the virus of the Swine Vesicular Disease and African Swine Fever. The prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Portugal has been withdrawn due to the data provided with regard to the favourable epizootic situation.

Products Covered: Live swine, fresh pork meat, pork meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine.

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Portugal, with the exception of products obtained from swine that have undergone a thermal or chemical treatment ensuring the destruction of the virus of the Swine Vesicular Disease and African Swine Fever. The prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Portugal has been withdrawn due to the data provided with regard to the favourable epizootic situation.

Products Covered: Live swine, fresh pork meat, pork meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine.

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Products Covered: Fertilizer (HS: 3103)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Products Covered: Fertilizer (HS: 3103)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 03 November 2004

Decrees prohibiting the importation of goods and products of bovine origin from countries that are, or are suspected of being, infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Products Covered: Bovine animals, parts, products and by-products, and biological, chemical and pharmaceutical products intended for administration to, or consumption by, ruminants

Regulation Type: Regular notification