The environmental approval program, according to the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario, is, “…not effectively managing the risks to the environment and human health from polluting activities.” The annual report was tabled in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on November 30, 2016. The report, which is two volumes with more than 800 pages, has “only” 40 pages focused on Environmental Approvals in Ontario. As related to the Environmental Approvals, the report...
Read MoreAmendments to Export/Import of Hazardous Waste/Recyclables
Earlier in 2016, there was less than favourable press coverage about Canadian household waste shipped to the Philippines back in 2013 and 2014. There were more than 100 containers of waste shipped from Canada to the Philippines that were in international regulatory limbo. Recent amendments to Canadian regulations seek to avoid such issues in the future. On October 21, 2016, the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Materials Regulations...
Read MorePBDE: An Emerging Environmental Regulatory Concern?
We often talk about how environmental compliance is never static, because chemicals or compounds that might be acceptable and even lauded one day are a concern the next day. Consider a recent group of chemical compounds that fit this description: Polybrominated Diphenyl Esters (PBDEs). According to the American Council for Science and Health, organic compounds such as PBDEs that contain multiple atoms of bromine and chlorine in their structure usually have two...
Read More2016 Monthly Environmental Compliance Posts
December (2015) – Environmental Compliance Approval How do I know if the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) will require that I obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) for a discharge from my facility? The bar is pretty low for requiring an ECA in Ontario. According to the MOECC, “If a business’s activities impact the natural environment, that business needs an approval from the Ministry of the Environment (and Climate Change) to operate...
Read MoreUS Election Results and Canadian Environmental Expectations
Trade between Canada and the United States (U.S.) is a pretty big deal for both countries. In fact, when you look at 15 of Canada’s top import partners, the US accounts for more than 75% of Canadian imports. So when national elections occur on either side of the border, those in business pay attention. With the US Presidential election now in the books, what are the potential implications as they relate to environmental issues? While we’ll all learn more after...
Read MoreMicrobead Regulations Published in Canada Gazette
One of the lessons you learn early if you are involved in the environmental compliance world is that just because something isn’t regulated today, doesn’t mean it won’t be regulated tomorrow. Over a year ago, we shared with you the forthcoming changes regarding microbeads in Canada, “Legislating Changes in Microbead Use in Canada.” Microbeads were once not only permissible, but were widely used in consumer products, such as facial scrubs and toothpastes. Now microbeads...
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