By: Sydney Sybydlo
Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes in September 2024. We cover EHS legislation and standards for over 30 countries and 400 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. Note that descriptions with an asterisk (*) were generated with artificial intelligence.
- Canada – British Columbia
- Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador
- Canada – Ontario
- Canada – Prince Edward Island
- Canada – Quebec
- United States – Federal
- United States – California
- European Union
- Australia – Queensland
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Norway
- South Africa
- Turkey
Canada – British Columbia
Amended Document – Drilling and Production Regulation
Amending Document – Drilling and Production Regulation; Oil and Gas Processing Facility Regulation […] 2024-09-03 Amendments
First Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Industry Sector: Oil & Gas Industry
The changes to this document notably affect facility and well permit holders and concern restrictions on the use of various devices for venting. Specifically, they:
- set out conditions under which a well permit holder is exempt from surface casing requirements;
- add recordkeeping requirements for well permit holders who vent natural gas during well liquids unloading events;
- set emissions limits for natural gas coming from surface casing vent flows, with exceptions, and related notification requirements;
- require facility permit holders to conduct an annual comprehensive survey (instead of a screening survey) if the facility is a gas sales meter facility and pressurized 91 days or more in the calendar year;
- decrease the threshold pressurized periods for which comprehensive surveys are required for facilities;
- require, beginning January 1, 2030, well permit holders of certain active wells to conduct annual comprehensive surveys of their wells and require well permit holders of certain inactive wells to conduct annual screening surveys of their wells;
- require, beginning on January 1, 2028, facility permit holders to install fixed leak monitoring devices (to detect leaks from hatches) and pressure relief devices on controlled production tanks, and set out related repair and recordkeeping requirements;
- allow permit holders to apply for approval “to develop and implement an alternative leak detection and repair program,” and specify the necessary contents of such a program;
- require well and facility permit holders to ensure that “flare and incinerator systems installed after January 1, 2025 are designed for a 98% carbon conversion efficiency”;
- set out the conditions and purposes for which facility permit holders may vent natural gas at their facility;
- prohibit, with some exceptions based on the amount of natural gas emitted, the venting of natural gas from uncontrolled production tanks at facilities, and add recordkeeping requirements concerning natural gas emissions from uncontrolled production tanks;
- exempt certain facility permit holders that use a certain reciprocating compressor from measurement requirements;
- reduce the acceptable vent gas rates for reciprocating compressor fleets;
- prohibit facility permit holders from venting natural gas from the seals of a centrifugal compressor, unless certain conditions are met, with exceptions and using pneumatic devices that vent natural gas, with certain exceptions;
- set out methane emission restrictions for permit holders that use pneumatic devices or pneumatic pumps; and
- require facility permit holders that use a glycol dehydrator to complete a Dehydrator Engineering and Operations Sheet for each glycol dehydrator at a facility and prohibit venting of natural gas from glycol dehydrators, with certain exceptions.
Canada – Newfoundland & Labrador
New Principal Document – Radiation Health and Safety Regulations, 2024
First Effective Date: 2 December 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to owners and operators of radiation equipment. It outlines requirements for: Registration, installation, maintenance and safe operation of radiation equipment; Safety training and protective measures for radiation workers; Monitoring radiation exposure and reporting incidents; and Record keeping related to radiation equipment and workers*
It replaces the existing Radiation Health and Safety Regulations. According to the government, the new document “strengthen[s] existing worker health and safety standards for the operation or installation of radiation equipment [and] formalizes processes and procedures for all workers involved in either the operation or installation of radiation equipment.”
Canada – Ontario
Amended Document – Gasoline Volatility
Amending Document – Amending O. Reg. 271/91 (Gasoline Volatility)
First Effective Date: 30 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
The change to this document notably provides that summer gasoline rules (concerning volatility limits) do not apply to motor gasoline at a bulk plant, service station or terminal unless the gasoline is provided directly from a refinery or outside of Ontario. It also removes rules prohibiting the import of “motor gasoline that has a vapour pressure exceeding the volatility limit” and incorporates by reference additional testing methods for vapour pressure of petroleum products.
New Principal Document – General (Digital Platform Workers’ Rights Act, 2022)
First Effective Date: 1 July 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Other
This document applies to digital platform workers and operators in Ontario. It outlines regulations regarding work assignments, minimum wage, information rights, record keeping, and penalties for non-compliance. It also details procedures for collecting unpaid wages and enforcing orders against operators.*
Canada – Prince Edward Island
Amended Document – Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act Regulations
Amending Document – Boilers and Pressure Vessels Act Regulations 2024-09-07 Amendments
First Effective Date: 7 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
According to the government, the changes to this document notably update the versions of various standards incorporated by reference. They also:
- “clarify the requirements for a permit to install pressure equipment;”
- “clarify that [certain] cut-off device[s] be equipped with a manual reset;”
- add new “rules respecting temporary construction heat installations, including their required equipment and safe operation, requirements for gas verification tags and requirements for manual shut-off valves;”
- “specify the requirements for a candidate for a medical gas installer certificate;”
- “specify the requirements for a refrigeration system that contains a hydrocarbon refrigerant” and required training for working with those systems; and
- add “additional safety requirements for refrigeration machinery room doors.”
Canada – Quebec
New Principal Document – Regulation providing the framework for the search for and killing of an animal that is fatally injured as a result of a hunting activity
First Effective Date: 3 October 2024
Industry Sector: Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping
This document applies to tracking dog handlers in Quebec. It outlines requirements for obtaining a tracking dog handler certificate and sets conditions for searching for and killing fatally injured animals after hunting. Key requirements include holding the certificate, using proper equipment, and following specific procedures when killing an injured animal.*
It replaces the Tracking Dog Handler Pilot Project.
Amended Document – Safety Code for the construction industry
Amending Document – Regulation to amend the Safety Code for the construction industry, the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety and the Regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines
First Effective Date: 3 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
According to the government, the changes update “the general provisions that apply to personnel hoisting apparatus and [consolidate] the general requirements for hoisting apparatus,” update “the rules for the use of personnel hoisting apparatus,” and add “provisions relating to mandatory training for operators of mobile personnel platform lifts.”
United States – Federal
Amended Document – 40 CFR 63 Subpart A General Provisions
Amending Document – Review of Final Rule Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act
First Effective Date: 10 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the change to this document “finaliz[es] requirements for sources that reclassify from major source status to area source status under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) program. The [new] requirements […] apply to all sources that choose to reclassify after September 10, 2024. The [specific changes] include a requirement that sources subject to certain major source NESHAP used to meet the Agency’s obligations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for seven specific persistent and bioaccumulative pollutants must remain subject to those NESHAP even if the sources reclassify to area source status. [It also clarifies] notification requirements and updat[es] language regarding submittal of confidential business information.”
United States – California
New Principal Document – CCR Chapter 13-3-17 Large Off-Road Engines
First Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Industry Sector: Road Transportation, Construction
According to the government, this document “requires California fleets to phase out most Large–Spark Ignition (LSI) forklifts over time. [It] includes two primary components: a restriction on the sale and acquisition of LSI forklifts starting on January 1, 2026, and other phase–out requirements starting on January 1, 2028, for existing LSI forklifts. The regulation would also establish requirements for forklift manufacturers, forklift dealers, and forklift rental agencies.”
New Principal Document – FGC Chapter 2-6.7 Restoration Management Permit Act
First Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document applies to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It outlines a program for issuing restoration management permits for qualifying projects that benefit native species and habitats. The document details application requirements, permit authorizations, and reporting obligations for the department.*
New Principal Document – PRC Chapter 30-3-20.5 Responsible Textile Recovery Act of 2024
First Effective Date: 1 January 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to producers, retailers, distributors, and online marketplaces of apparel and textile articles in California. It outlines requirements for establishing a producer responsibility organization (PRO) to manage collection, recycling, and proper disposal of covered products. Key obligations include developing stewardship plans, meeting performance standards, and paying fees to fund the program.*
European Union
First Effective Date: 23 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document applies to businesses and individuals dealing with products and equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases. It establishes requirements for labeling such products and equipment, including the format, content, and placement of labels, to ensure visibility and readability. It also specifies labeling for certain uses, such as recycled or reclaimed gases, and prohibited uses after certain dates.*
It replaces Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2068 of 17 November 2015 establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the format of labels for products and equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse ga. The new document primarily covers the same scope as the repealed document, with amendments focused on simplifying the language for clarity, pursuant to the updated rules on labelling for products and equipment containing fluorinated greenhouse gases in the new document. The changes, according to its content, notably:
- add package leaflets as another reference point for minimum font size when adding required information to an existing label;
- require labels to be legible under normal operational conditions at the time of placing on the market in addition to throughout the entire product’s life “during which the product or equipment is containing or its functioning relies upon fluorinated greenhouse gases”;
- explicitly require the information on the weight of the fluorinated greenhouse gases, where required, to be expressed using the global warming potential values of the fluorinated greenhouse gases;
- require the supplier or installer of the equipment to insert on the label the quantity added outside the manufacturing site and the resulting total quantity of fluorinated greenhouse before putting the equipment into operation; and
- update the requirements for the use of certain specific labelling text, such as “100 % Recycled” and “100 % Reclaimed”.
New Principal Document – Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2215 of 6 September 2024 establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2024/573 of the European Parliament and of the Council, minimum requirements for the issuance of certificates to natural and legal persons and the conditions for the mutual recognition of such certificates, as regards stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, organic Rankine cycles and refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks, refrigerated trailers, refrigerated light-duty vehicles, intermodal containers and train wagons containing fluorinated greenhouse gases or their alternatives, and repealing Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067
First Effective Date: 29 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document establishes minimum requirements and conditions for mutual recognition of certificates for natural and legal persons carrying out activities involving fluorinated greenhouse gases or their alternatives in stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, and refrigerated transport equipment. It sets general requirements for businesses and certification of their employees handling such equipment.*
It replaces Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2067 of 17 November 2015 establishing, pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 517/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council, minimum requirements and the conditions for mutual recognition for the certification of natural persons as regards stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, and refrigeration units of refrigerated trucks and trailers, containing fluorinated greenhouse gases and for the certification of companies as regards stationary refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment, containing fluorinated greenhouse gases. The new document, according to the European Commission, is notably “to update the minimum requirements for the certification of natural and legal persons in relation to the scope of activities, equipment covered as well as the skills and knowledge to be covered and to specify the rules for the certification and the conditions for mutual recognition of certificates”.
In particular, the changes expand the scope to include additional activities and equipment types, such as refrigeration units in various transportation modes and stationary organic Rankine cycles, introduce provisions for handling alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases, establish new requirements for handling equipment containing flammable or toxic gases or operating at high pressures; and focus on improving the energy efficiency of equipment.
Australia – Queensland
Amended Document – Work Health and Safety Regulation
Amending Document – Work Health and Safety (Sexual Harassment) Amendment Regulation 2024
First Effective Date: 1 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The changes to this document, according to the government of Queensland, require persons conducting a business or undertaking to: “manage the risk of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment in accordance with the risk management process (e.g., identify the risk and implement, maintain, and review control measures), have regard to relevant matters when selecting control measures (e.g., personal or workplace characteristics that may increase the risk of sexual harassment and sex or gender-based harassment), review control measures if a report is made, and prepare and maintain a prevention plan.”
Hungary
Amended Document – Government decree 219/2011. (X. 20.) on the protection against serious accidents related to dangerous substances
Amending Document – Government decree 257/2024. (VIII. 29.) on changes in certain authority powers
First Effective Date: 1 October 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
The changes to this document notably-
- require operators of plants to notify the competent disaster management authority of any significant changes to their safety report without delay and to review and update these documents at least once every five years;
- extend the timeframe for the operators of plants dealing with hazardous substances with an upper threshold value to draw up a final and approved external projection plan up to 180 days after the acceptance of the safety report;
- require operators to provide written information to both the authority’s territorial body and the competent disaster management authority within 24 hours of a serious accident related to hazardous substances; and
- require the operator, in the case of a serious damage event prevention plan, to set the date for the feasibility testing exercises in consultation with the industrial safety authority.
Ireland
New Principal Document – Water Environment (Abstractions and Associated Impoundments) Regulations 2024
First Effective Date: 29 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to individuals and entities involved in water abstraction activities in Ireland. It outlines regulations for water abstractions and associated impoundments, including requirements for measuring and reporting abstraction rates, obtaining licenses, conducting environmental impact assessments, and complying with various procedural and administrative obligations related to water abstraction activities.*
Amended Document – Waste Management (Landfill Levy) Regulations 2015
Amending Document – Waste Management (Landfill Levy) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
First Effective Date: 1 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The change to this document, according to the Government of Ireland, notably:
- introduces certain new definitions, such as the definition of “contaminated soil and stone” and the definition of “inert waste”;
- “provid[es] for the ending of the exemption for construction and demolition waste from the application of the Landfill Levy”;
- clarifies the landfill levy exemption for the disposal of non-greenfield soil and stone in a landfill; and
- addresses how the landfill levy should be applied when the waste for disposal is a “mixed load”.
New Principal Document – Circular Economy (Waste Recovery Levy) Regulations 2024
First Effective Date: 1 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to waste recovery facilities and waste exporters. It establishes a waste recovery levy on certain municipal and construction/demolition wastes. Key requirements include paying the levy, maintaining records, and submitting returns. Exemptions and calculation methods are specified. Audits and enforcement provisions are outlined.*
It replaces the Circular Economy (Waste Recovery Levy) Regulations 2023. The changes, according to the Government of Ireland, notably:
- introduce certain new definitions, such as the definition of “greenfield soil and stone” and the definition of “inert waste”;
- provide for “the ending of the exemption for construction and demolition waste from the application of the Waste Recovery Levy”;
- specify the offence for the failure to comply with the specified record-keeping and audit requirements; and
- introduce a list of construction and demolition waste types subject to the recovery levy.
Italy
New Principal Document – Decree 28 June 2024, n. 127 Regulation containing provisions for the cessation of the waste classification of inert waste from construction and demolition, other inert waste of mineral origin, pursuant to article 184-ter, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree 3 April 2006, no. 152/2006
First Effective Date: 26 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to producers of recovered aggregates from construction and demolition waste and other inert mineral waste. It establishes criteria for when these materials cease to be classified as waste. Key requirements include quality controls, conformity declarations, and compliance with technical standards for specific end uses of the recovered aggregates.*
It replaces Decree 27 September 2022, n. 152 Regulation governing the termination of the qualification of waste of inert construction and demolition waste and other inert waste of mineral origin, pursuant to article 184-ter, paragraph 2, of legislative decree no. 152.
Norway
New Principal Document – Regulation on explosives precursors
First Effective Date: 28 August 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to businesses and individuals handling explosive precursors. It outlines regulations for the sale, possession, and use of restricted explosive precursors. Key requirements include: Prohibiting public access to restricted substances; Implementing controls and reporting systems for suspicious transactions; Ensuring proper storage and security measures; and Conducting risk assessments and employee training*
It replaces the Regulations on the handling of starting materials for explosives. The new document primarily covers the same scope as the repealed document, with amendments focused on simplifying the language and reorganizing the structure of the regulations for clarity. The changes notably establish further rules for the making available, import, export, possession and use of restricted and regulated explosives precursors, provide for a list of explosives precursors subject to restrictions and a list of regulated explosives precursors, introduce certain new definitions, such as the definition of “suspicious transaction” and the definition of “online marketplace,” and include a customer declaration template.
South Africa
New Principal Document – Occupational Health and Safety Act: Explosives Regulations: Radio frequency device guidelines
First Effective Date: 23 July 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
This document applies to employers, self-employed persons, and users operating explosives workplaces. It outlines regulations for manufacturing, testing, storing, and using explosives. Key requirements include licensing explosives workplaces, appointing explosives managers, implementing safety measures, and following procedures for handling explosives and radio frequency devices in danger areas.*
Turkey
New Principal Document – Seafarers and Pilots Regulation
First Effective Date: 29 August 2024
Industry Sector: Water Transportation
This document applies to seafarers and maritime pilots in Turkey. It outlines regulations for seafarer qualifications, training, certification, and licensing. Key requirements include specific education, sea service, and examinations for various ranks. It also covers disciplinary procedures and administrative measures for training institutions.*
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