Latest EHS Regulations Updates Assist Companies to Achieve EHS Compliance
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (PRWEB) SEPTEMBER 30, 2019
Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) and Specialty Technical Consultants (STC) announce the availability of the newly updated International Audit Protocol Consortium (IAPC) EHS audit protocol for Ontario, Canada. Leading companies around the world use IAPC EHS audit protocols to understand the scope of their EHS regulatory obligations and rapidly collect, share, archive, and export audit findings in a cost effective manner. IAPC EHS audit protocols are now prepared by STC in partnership with STP and continue to focus on those national (plus, in some cases, regional or provincial) EHS requirements that have site-specific application for manufacturing operations. As a leading EHS management consulting firm with a global network of experienced EHS teaming partners, STC has indepth knowledge and technical expertise of local/regional EHS requirements.
STP and STC maintain leading-edge EHS audit protocols for more than 50 jurisdictions. The protocol documents are written in English and are available in MS Word, Adobe Acrobat and Excel formats, as well as through STP’s web-based portal or can be integrated into an existing company platform. Using the protocols’ custom templates and advanced functionality features, auditors can easily track audit findings and manage data over time to improve compliance, risk management and safety performance. In addition, STP’s formatting is compatible with leading risk management and sustainability platform providers.
Highlights of selected legislation covered in the newly developed protocol include:
- The “Notice with Respect to Substances in the National Pollutant Release Inventory for 2018 and 2019 (published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 152, No. 3, January 2018)” has been added to this update and replaces the 2016 and 2017 Notice. This Notice requires certain types of facilities to report 2018 and 2019 release and discharge information by June 1 of the following calendar year. Certain kinds of facilities are exempted. Typically, a notice applies for two reporting years. The previous version of the Notice was published to include reporting years 2016 and 2017.
- The “Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use, O. Reg 506/18” (effective January 1, 2019, and adopted pursuant to the “Electricity Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c. 15, Sched. A)” establishes annual energy consumption and water use reporting requirements for privately owned buildings that are at least 50,000 square feet, including commercial, residential and some industrial property types. The “Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use, O. Reg 506/18” replaced the “Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use, O. Reg 20/17” which was adopted pursuant to the “Green Energy Act, S.O. 2009, c. 12.” The “Green Energy Act” and subordinate Regulations were repealed by the “Green Energy Repeal Act, 2018, S.O. 2018, c. 16.“
- The “Notice with Respect to the Reporting of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) for 2018” (published in the “Canada Gazette Part I, Vol. 153, No. 3, January 19, 2019)” covers the greenhouse gas emissions reporting requirements for calendar year 2018. Through these reports, the government collects data on greenhouse gas emissions for the purpose of conducting research, creating a national inventory, formulating objectives and codes of practice, issuing guidelines or assessing or reporting on the state of the environment.
- The “Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Quantification, Reporting and Verification [O. Reg 390/18; last amended by O. Reg. 77/19]” sets forth GHG emissions quantification, reporting, and verification requirements and applies to the activities listed in Schedule 2 if their GHG emissions exceed specified thresholds. This current regulation revokes the “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting. O. Reg. 452/09.”
- The “Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 [S.O. 2017, c. 26, Sched. 3]” (effective on July 1, 2018, repealing and replacing the “Smoke-Free Ontario Act 1994 [S.O. 1994, c. 10])” expands the previous prohibition on smoking of tobacco to in any enclosed public place or enclosed workplace. It also applies to cannabis use and vaping of any substance. The “Smoke-Free Ontario Regulation [O. Reg. 268/18] issued under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017” specifies posting and notification requirements in the workplace, as well as requirements for implementing the smoking prohibitions.
- The “Environmental Emergency Regulations 2019 [SOR/2019-51]” were added to the protocol with this update. These Regulations came into force on August 25, 2019, and repeal and replace the “Environmental Emergency Regulations, 2013.” Industrial facilities that store or use any of 234 listed substances will be required to provide information to Environment Canada about the maximum amount and location of these substances to help emergency response personnel to respond in case of emergency. Facilities subject to the Regulations are also required to develop, implement, and test an emergency plan.
For more information on all International EHS audit protocols offered by STP and STC click here.
About Specialty Technical Publishers
Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) produces technical resource guides covering environmental, health & safety, transportation, accounting, business practices, standards and law, offering comprehensive guidance on key compliance and regulatory issues. STP is a division of Glacier Media Inc., a Canadian information communications company that provides primary and essential information in print, electronic and online media. Glacier’s Business and Professional Information Group publishes directories, technical manuals, research and development materials, medical education, electronic databases, investment information and specialty websites.
About Specialty Technical Consultants
Specialty Technical Consultants, Inc. (STC) is a specialized management consulting firm working to enhance environmental health and safety (EHS) performance. Through its consulting services, STC partners with clients to strengthen management systems’ design and implementation, and identifies needs and implements solutions to meet business objectives. Services provided include: EHS compliance support; risk assessment; EHS auditing; corporate responsibility and sustainability; EHS management systems development and implementation; EHS regulatory information tools; and EHS training.
STC is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the Supplier Clearinghouse for the California Public Utilities Commission, and as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.
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