Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 18 June 2007

The Certain Ruminants and Their Products Import Prohibition Regulations, No. 2 have been amended to remove previous prohibitions on live animals from the United States. The previous version of these Regulations represented a partial prohibition on the importation of both animals and their products, as these animals and their products may carry an unacceptable risk of carrying BSE. This amendment to the importation prohibition Regulations repeals those sections of the Regulations that deal with live animals. Some exemptions for specific animal products have been carried over from the previous prohibition Regulations because they are regulated by means such as the requirement for an import permit or a certification or because they are considered a low risk. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has proceeded with a partial repeal of the prohibition Regulations with a view to repealing the rest of the Regulations once the concerns raised with respect to the products portion of the BSE Import Regulations have been addressed. Although the situation has evolved to the point where the prohibitions can be relaxed somewhat, it is important that certain import controls on products imported from the US (such as sheep and goat products and pet food pending further consultation on new import regulations) remain in place because of the ongoing risk factors identified during the consultation and publication of Canada's BSE import policy. It is, therefore, proposed to narrow the prohibitions where it has been determined that the risk of BSE to Canada would be minimal when imported in compliance with all required mitigating measures. The revised Prohibition Regulations can be downloaded from: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2007/20070516/pdf/g2-14110.pdf (SOR/DORS/2007-81)

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 18 June 2007

The Certain Ruminants and Their Products Import Prohibition Regulations, No. 2 have been amended to remove previous prohibitions on live animals from the United States. The previous version of these Regulations represented a partial prohibition on the importation of both animals and their products, as these animals and their products may carry an unacceptable risk of carrying BSE. This amendment to the importation prohibition Regulations repeals those sections of the Regulations that deal with live animals. Some exemptions for specific animal products have been carried over from the previous prohibition Regulations because they are regulated by means such as the requirement for an import permit or a certification or because they are considered a low risk. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has proceeded with a partial repeal of the prohibition Regulations with a view to repealing the rest of the Regulations once the concerns raised with respect to the products portion of the BSE Import Regulations have been addressed. Although the situation has evolved to the point where the prohibitions can be relaxed somewhat, it is important that certain import controls on products imported from the US (such as sheep and goat products and pet food pending further consultation on new import regulations) remain in place because of the ongoing risk factors identified during the consultation and publication of Canada's BSE import policy. It is, therefore, proposed to narrow the prohibitions where it has been determined that the risk of BSE to Canada would be minimal when imported in compliance with all required mitigating measures. The revised Prohibition Regulations can be downloaded from: http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partII/2007/20070516/pdf/g2-14110.pdf (SOR/DORS/2007-81)

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 13 June 2007

The document was prepared on the basis of SIST EN 206-1. "Concrete, performance, production and conformity". It gives requirements for the properties, the production and the conformity assessment of concrete. It is applicable to concrete which is used for structures cast-in-situ, erected by prefabricated element and prefabricated components for buildings and building structures.

Products Covered: Concrete and concrete products (ICS:  91.100; HS:  3824;  6810;  3816)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 13 June 2007

The document was prepared on the basis of SIST EN 206-1. "Concrete, performance, production and conformity". It gives requirements for the properties, the production and the conformity assessment of concrete. It is applicable to concrete which is used for structures cast-in-situ, erected by prefabricated element and prefabricated components for buildings and building structures.

Products Covered: Concrete and concrete products (ICS:  91.100; HS:  3824;  6810;  3816)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 01 June 2007

The EPA proposes to list n-propyl bromide (nPB) as an unacceptable substitute for methyl chloroform, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-113, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b when used in adhesives or in aerosol solvents because nPB in these end uses poses unacceptable risks to human health when compared with other substitutes that are available. In addition, EPA takes comment on alternate options that would find nPB acceptable subject to use conditions in adhesives or in aerosol solvents. This action also proposes to list nPB as acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a substitute for methyl chloroform, CFC-113, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b in the coatings end use. This proposal supersedes EPA's proposal of 3 June 2003 on the acceptability of nPB as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances for aerosols and adhesives.

Products Covered: Adhesives, aerosols, coatings (HS:  Chapter 3506;  ICS:  71.100, 13.020, 29.035, 83.180)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 01 June 2007

The EPA proposes to list n-propyl bromide (nPB) as an unacceptable substitute for methyl chloroform, chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-113, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b when used in adhesives or in aerosol solvents because nPB in these end uses poses unacceptable risks to human health when compared with other substitutes that are available. In addition, EPA takes comment on alternate options that would find nPB acceptable subject to use conditions in adhesives or in aerosol solvents. This action also proposes to list nPB as acceptable, subject to use conditions, as a substitute for methyl chloroform, CFC-113, and hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141b in the coatings end use. This proposal supersedes EPA's proposal of 3 June 2003 on the acceptability of nPB as a substitute for ozone-depleting substances for aerosols and adhesives.

Products Covered: Adhesives, aerosols, coatings (HS:  Chapter 3506;  ICS:  71.100, 13.020, 29.035, 83.180)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 May 2007

FSANZ has received an Application to amend Standard 1.3.1 – Food Additives in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to approve the use of steviol glycosides as intense sweeteners and flavour enhancer in a range of foods.

Products Covered: Processed foods

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 May 2007

FSANZ has received an Application to amend Standard 1.3.1 – Food Additives in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to approve the use of steviol glycosides as intense sweeteners and flavour enhancer in a range of foods.

Products Covered: Processed foods

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 May 2007

The notified regulation approves the physical-chemical analytical methods for the detection of maltodextrin in milk, to be used by the official laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.

Products Covered: Milk

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 May 2007

The notified regulation approves the physical-chemical analytical methods for the detection of maltodextrin in milk, to be used by the official laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply.

Products Covered: Milk

Regulation Type: Regular notification