Top global EHS regulatory changes – February 2021
Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes from February 2021. We cover EHS legislation and standards for over 100 countries and 200 jurisdictions. If you would like to track legislative changes for specific regions, countries or jurisdictions, we are happy to help. Please send us a request for more information here and we will contact you shortly.
Canada – Federal
New Principal document – Notice with respect to reporting of greenhouse gases (GHGs) for 2020
Published date: 2021-02-13
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management and Maintenance
This notice requires operators of facilities that produce greenhouse gas emissions above a specified threshold or engage in certain carbon dioxide-related activities to report the emissions to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The notice also includes recordkeeping requirements.
Canada – Ontario
Amended document – Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels
Amending document – Amending O. Reg. 79/15 (Alternative Low-Carbon Fuels)
First effective date: 2021-02-05
Industry Sector: General Industry
This amended regulation concerns alternative low-carbon fuel, which includes materials such as biomass or residual waste that would otherwise be disposed of as waste in landfills. It exempts energy-intensive manufacturing facilities in the cement, lime, and iron and steel sectors from requiring a waste disposal site Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) if they are using alternative low-carbon fuel in place of coal or petroleum coke and meet additional conditions.
Facilities taking advantage of this opportunity are still required to obtain other ECAs in respect of their activities.
More information about the change, including any additional effective dates, is available here.
United States – Federal
Amended document – 40 CFR 60 Subpart UUUUa Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Existing Electric Utility Generating Units
Amending document – Test Methods and Performance Specifications for Air Emission Sources
Published date: 2021-02-16
Industry Sector: General Industry
The amended subpart establishes emission guidelines and approval criteria for State plans that establish standards of performance limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an affected steam generating unit. An affected steam generating unit for the purposes of this subpart, is referred to as a designated facility.
More information about the change, including any additional effective dates, is available here.
United States – California
Amended document – CCR Chapter 27-4-1 Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986
Amending document – Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity
First effective date: 2020-12-18
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management and Maintenance
The amended legislation contains requirements implementing the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986.
More information about the change, including any additional effective dates, is available here and here.
Greenland
New Principal Document – Self-Government Executive Order no. 5 of 20 January 2021 on conditions for travel to and in Greenland
First effective date: 2021-01-23
Industry Sector: General Industry
This legislation notably sets out public and occupational health requirements for people traveling to and in Greenland. It notably requires employees and crew at airports to wear a face mask or visor, and requires employers to set up a plastic or glass screen between employees and passengers where possible.
Portugal
New Principal document – Ordinance No. 38/2021 Creates carbon taxes on air and sea travel
First effective date: 2021-07-01
Industry Sector: Air Transportation, Water Transportation
This legislation sets out carbon taxes for the air and maritime transportation sectors.
Italy
New Principal document – Decree 22 September 2020, n. 188 Regulation governing the termination of the qualification of paper and cardboard waste, pursuant to article 184-ter, paragraph 2, of the legislative decree 3 April 2006, n. 152.
First effective date: 2021-02-24
Industry Sector: Printing and Pulp and Paper, Utilities and Communications
This legislation notably sets out criteria for paper and cardboard waste to cease to be qualified as waste, as well as reporting and quality requirements for recovered paper and cardboard.
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