By: Sydney Sybydlo
Here are a few noteworthy global EHS regulatory changes in June 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 – Federal
- Canada – British Columbia
- Canada – Manitoba
- Canada – New Brunswick
- Canada – Prince Edward Island
- Canada – Quebec
- United States – Federal
- United States – Virginia
- European Union
- Belgium
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Turkey
Canada – Federal
Amended Document – Impact Assessment Act
Amending Document – Budget Implementation Act, 2024, No. 1
First Effective Date: 1 January 2018
Industry Sector: General Industry
The changes to this document were made in response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on its constitutionality. According to the government, the changes notably:
- “replace the definition ‘effects within federal jurisdiction’ with ‘adverse effects within federal jurisdiction’ and, in doing so:
- “restrict the definition to non-negligible adverse changes,
- “limit transboundary changes to those involving the pollution of transboundary waters and the marine environment, and
- “include, in respect of federal works or undertakings and activities carried out on federal lands, non-negligible adverse changes to the environment or to health, social and economic conditions;”
- “ensure that the impact assessment process applies only to those physical activities that may cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction or direct or incidental adverse effects;”
- “amend the final decision-making provisions to provide for an initial determination as to whether the adverse effects within federal jurisdiction and the direct or incidental adverse effects are likely to be, to some extent, significant, and then, if so, provide for a determination as to whether those effects are justified in the public interest; and”
- “improve cooperation tools to better harmonize the impact assessment process with the processes for assessing effects that are followed by provincial and Indigenous jurisdictions.”
Amended Document – Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
Amending Document – Regulations Amending the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations
First Effective Date: 27 May 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the change to this document notably “[allows] eligible owners and operators of wastewater systems (regulatees) another oppurtunity to receive an extension (transitional authorization) to upgrade their system. [It also expands] temporary bypass authorizations to apply to all planned releases in the wastewater infrastructure, at treatment plants and within the collection system, and [applies] a risk-based approach to the planning, evaluating and authorization of these releases.”
New Principal Document – Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxʷiqak — Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area Regulations
First Effective Date: 10 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document establishes regulations for the Tang.ɢwan — ḥačxʷiqak — Tsig̱is Marine Protected Area, defining its boundaries, management zones, and prohibited activities. It outlines exceptions for permitted fishing, cable maintenance, navigation, and approved scientific research or educational activities within the area. The regulations aim to protect marine organisms and their habitats while allowing certain controlled activities.*
Amended Document – Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022
Amending Document – Regulations Amending the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022
First Effective Date: 10 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the changes “adjust hunting season dates, daily bag and possession limits for hunting seasons 2024-2025 and 2025-2026” and make administrative changes “to correct errors and improve clarify of the hunting provisions.”
New Principal Document – Biocides Regulations
First Effective Date: 31 May 2025
Industry Sector: Chemical Industry, Healthcare Industry, Hardware Manufacturing
This document applies to holders of market authorizations for biocides, importers, manufacturers, packagers, and labellers of biocides. It outlines requirements related to obtaining market authorizations, labelling and packaging, quality control, reporting incidents and recalls, providing sales-related information, and conducting assessments and tests for biocides.*
Amended Document – Products Containing Mercury Regulations
Amending Document – Regulations Amending the Products Containing Mercury Regulations
First Effective Date: 19 June 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the change to the document notably prohibits the import and manufacture of screw-base compact, pin-base compact, straight, and non-linear fluorescent lamps for general lighting purposes, with exemptions, and transitional rules applying until December 31, 2027.
It also prohibits “catalysts used in the manufacturing of polyurethane”, “dental amalgam powders”, “the import and manufacture of high-pressure sodium vapour lamps and metal halide lamps used for general lighting”, clarifies certain exemptions, and makes administrative changes to report submission due dates, record-keeping requirements, and the list of recognized accreditation bodies.
Canada – British Columbia
Amended Document – Employment Standards Regulation
Amending Document – Employment Standards Regulation 2024-06-18 Amendments
First Effective Date: 3 September 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The change to the document adds rules governing the prescribed work of online platform workers (notably, delivery service workers and ride-hail service workers). It sets out minimum wage requirements, exemptions from certain rules, and conditions of employment for such workers.
The new Online Platform Workers Regulation prescribes types of work for the purposes of the definition of “online platform worker.”
Canada – Manitoba
New Principal Document – The Captured Carbon Storage Act
Publication Date: 3 June 2024 (comes into force on proclamation)
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document establishes a regulatory scheme for the safe underground storage of captured carbon dioxide in geological formations in Manitoba.
It clarifies the government’s ownership of pore space, sets out licensing requirements for subsurface carbon storage projects, governs surface and subsurface rights related to storage areas, and outlines compliance and enforcement measures.*
Canada – New Brunswick
Amended Document – List of Species at Risk Regulation
Amending Document – List of Species at Risk Regulation 2024-06-04 Amendments
First Effective Date: 4 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
The change adds two species of Bumble Bee (Rusty-patched and Suckley’s Cuckoo) to the list of endangered species and one species of Bumble Bee (Yellow-banded) to the list of special concern species.
Canada – Prince Edward Island
Amended Document – General Regulations (Occupational Health and Safety Act)
Amending Document – General Regulations Amendment
First Effective Date: 22 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
According to the government, the changes to the document notably:
- update certain definitions to reflect first aid training requirements in CSA Standards Z1210-17 and require compliance with that standard;
- specify that first aid requirements do not apply to hospitals, nursing homes, or workers’ private residences which are equipped with home offices and where the workers conduct “low risk work for an employer”;
- “specify where multiple levels of risk exist simultaneously at a workplace, the employer shall use a higher risk level when determining the appropriate workplace first aid kit and level of training required by the workplace first aider”;
- “update the levels of risk in conjunction with a workplace first aid risk assessment conducted at a workplace”;
- require employers to provide “emergency lighting in a first aid room at a workplace”;
- make certain “provisions consistent with the National Building Code of Canada 2020“;
- “correct the measurements respecting the minimum overlap of sections of extension ladders when extended for use”; and
- “update the CSA Standard pertaining to respiratory protection equipment for filtering particulate matter”.
Canada – Quebec
New Principal Document – Approval of Éco Entreprises Québec’s and RecycleMédias’ schedule of contributions payable for 2024 for the “containers and packaging”, “printed matter” and “newspapers” classes of materials
First Effective Date: 1 January 2024
Industry Sector: Printing, Pulp & Paper Industry, Food Industry
This document applies to businesses and individuals (“Targeted Persons”) that market containers, packaging, printed matter, and newspapers in Quebec. It outlines the requirements for these entities to pay contributions to compensate municipalities for the costs of recovering and recycling these materials, including registration, reporting obligations, and calculation methods for determining the payable contributions.*
United States – Federal
New Principal Document – 15 CFR 922 Subpart U Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary
First Effective Date: 6 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Public Administration & Institutions
This document establishes regulations for the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary, which covers approximately 1,300 square nautical miles of Lake Ontario waters within New York State.
It outlines prohibited activities, permit procedures, certification of pre-existing authorizations, and provisions for emergency regulations to protect sanctuary resources, including historical shipwrecks and underwater cultural sites.*
Amended Document – 49 CFR 174 Carriage by Rail
Amending Document – Hazardous Materials: FAST Act Requirements for Real-Time Train Consist Information
First Effective Date: 24 July 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
According to the government, the change to the document “clarifies responsibilities for railroads to provide a local printed paper copy version of train consist information to train crews; for train crews to update that local copy version of train consist information; and that the local copy of the train consist information must be maintained in a conspicuous location of an occupied locomotive or in the possession of a train crew member if they evacuate the locomotive during an accident or incident. [It provides that] railroads must also ensure that train consist information is generated and updated in electronic form; maintained offsite of the train itself; and immediately accessible by the railroad’s designated emergency response point of contact [and that] railroads must ensure the local printed paper copy and electronic train consist information maintained off the train are at all times accurate and consistent.”
It also “establishes real-time, electronic train consist information-sharing requirements for hazardous materials transported by rail,” which state that “railroads transporting hazardous materials must generate and provide train consist information by electronic means to authorized federal, state, and local first responders; emergency response officials; and law enforcement personnel who could be involved in the response to—or investigation of—an accident, incident, or public health or safety emergency involving the rail transportation of hazardous material.”
United States – Virginia
New Principal Document – VSA Subchapter 9-63-12a PFAS in Consumer Products
First Effective Date: 1 January 2026
Industry Sector: Chemical Industry, Healthcare Industry, Food Industry, Hardware Manufacturing
This document prohibits the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of consumer products (including aftermarket stain and water-resistant treatments for rugs or carpets, artificial turf, cookware, incontinency protection products, juvenile products, rugs and carpets, ski wax, and textiles). It provides that persons may be requested to produce certificates of compliance.
European Union
Amended Document – Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and amending Regulations (EC) No 595/2009 and (EU) 2018/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 96/53/EC
Amending Document – Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956 (Text with EEA relevance)
First Effective Date: 26 June 2024
Industry Sector: Hardware Manufacturing
The changes to the document notably:
- strengthen the CO2 emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles by introducing specific provisions for CO2 emission reduction targets and additional measures to facilitate the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles;
- specify the requirements for the reporting of CO2 emissions from, and fuel consumption of, new heavy-duty vehicles registered in the Union;
- include additional vehicle categories in the regulated scope of heavy-duty vehicles in addition to N2 and N3 vehicles;
- update certain definitions, such as the definitions of “reference CO2 emissions”, “specific CO2 emissions target”, and “zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle”;
- establish requirements for the transfer of heavy-duty vehicles between manufacturers;
- introduce exemptions for manufacturers producing few heavy-duty vehicles;
- establish rules for the attribution of heavy-duty vehicles to a manufacturer in relation to specific CO2 emission calculations;
- provide rules on the calculation of average specific CO2 emissions of heavy-duty vehicles of category M;
- update the reporting requirements for type-approval authorities and manufacturers for deviations in the CO2 emission values;
- mandate manufacturers or other entities responsible for the determination of the CO2 emissions of a heavy-duty vehicle to report the specified data and be responsible for the correctness and quality of the data they report;
- provide for the establishment of a central register for data on heavy-duty vehicles;
- update the list of average specific CO2 emissions, specific CO2 emissions targets and excess CO2 emissions; and
- normalize the values of the specific CO2 emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles.
New Principal Document – Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1765 of 11 March 2024 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2020/741 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to technical specifications of the key elements of risk management
First Effective Date: 10 July 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Building Management & Maintenance
This document sets out technical specifications for the key elements of risk management that must be included in water reuse risk management plans for agricultural irrigation.
It outlines requirements for describing the water reuse system, identifying hazards and risks, assessing environmental and health risks, implementing preventive measures and barriers, establishing quality control procedures, monitoring systems, and managing incidents and emergencies.*
Belgium
Amended Document – Code of well-being at work (2017)
Amending Document – Royal Decree amending Book VIII of the Code of Well-being at Work with regard to ergonomics at work and MSD prevention
First Effective Date: 25 May 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The changes to the document introduce a series of requirements for employers regarding musculoskeletal disorders. Notably, employers are now required to design workstations to prevent such disorders. They must also have a risk assessment carried out, and must take prevention measures on the basis of this risk assessment. The risk assessment must be repeated at 1-year intervals. The employer must additionally ensure workers receive training and information on the risks of musculoskeletal disorders, and have workers screened appropriately for such disorders.
Ireland
New Principal Document – Irish Aviation Authority (Operations) Order, 2024
First Effective Date: 1 July 2024
Industry Sector: Air Transportation
This document applies to aircraft operators and owners. It outlines general requirements for the safe operation of aircraft, including crew qualifications, flight operations, aircraft equipment and maintenance, accident prevention, and record-keeping. It also specifies key responsibilities for operators and owners to ensure compliance with aviation regulations.*
It replaces the Irish Aviation Authority (Operations) Order, 2006.
Scotland
Amended Document – Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011
Amending Document – The Waste (Materials Facilities) (Scotland) Regulations 2024
First Effective Date: 1 April 2025
Industry Sector: General Industry, Office Spaces, Building Management & Maintenance
The amending document, according to the Scottish Government, “support[s] the introduction of more-detailed sampling, recording, and reporting requirements at materials facilities [that handle dry recyclable waste].” The changes to the Regulations notably impose new obligations on material facility licensees to comply with the new Code of Practice on Sampling and Reporting at Materials Facilities (the “Materials Facilities Code”) by expanding the scope of the waste management licenses granted or varied on or after April 1, 2025; and update the exemptions from the requirement to hold a waste management license by explicitly establishing a condition of this exemption for materials facilities, requiring materials facilities that conduct an exempt activity to comply with the new Materials Facilities Code.
Turkey
New Principal Document – Regulation on the Safety of Nuclear Facilities and Nuclear Materials
First Effective Date: 11 June 2024
Industry Sector: General Industry
This document outlines the security requirements for nuclear facilities and nuclear materials used for peaceful purposes within the borders of the Republic of Turkey. It establishes the principles and measures that authorized persons must take to ensure the security of nuclear facilities and materials, including physical protection systems, access control, detection and response measures, and information security.*
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