Specialty Technical Publishers (STP) and Specialty Technical Consultants (STC) Publish Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Audit Protocols for Alberta, Canada
Vancouver, B.C., Canada (PRWEB) January 10, 2017 -- 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 Alberta, 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 30 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 updated protocol include:
• The “Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012” replaces the “Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 1992.” The “Act” and the “Regulations Designating Physical Activities, 2013,” which came into force on July 6, 2012, and October 24, 2013, respectively, establish a new federal environmental assessment regime. The assessments will consider whether the designated projects are likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects on components of the environment that are within the legislative authority of Parliament or as a result of a federal decision taken in relation to the project.
• The “Hazardous Products Regulations” replace the former “Controlled Products Regulations” that were repealed in February 2015. These current regulations address the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System intended to conform to the Global Harmonization System for communicating the physical and health hazards of products.
• The “Human Pathogens and Toxins Act” establishes licensing, reporting and security requirements for facilities that possess, handle, use, produce, store, access, transfer, import, export, release, abandon, or dispose of any listed human pathogen or toxin.
• The “Fisheries Act” is the key legislation for conservation and protection of fisheries resources. This “Act” contains spill reporting and cleanup requirements in all waters in Canada where spills or releases might affect fish or their habitat. It also prohibits the harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat and the deposit of a deleterious substance in water frequented by fish. Anyone proposing works that may result in disruption or destruction of fish habitat or who wishes to deposit a deleterious substance must provide the Minister with plans, specifications, studies, and details of the proposed procedures.
• Canada’s new “Notice Requiring the Preparation and Implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans in Respect of Halocarbons Used as a Refrigerant” requires the preparation and implementation of pollution prevention plans for halocarbons used as a refrigerant. The “Notice” applies to persons who import 100 kg or more annually or manufacture or reclaim halocarbons that are to be used as a refrigerant in refrigeration systems or stationary air conditioning systems, other than domestic appliances. The “Notice” also includes schedules to be completed and submitted to the Minister within the required timelines by persons subject to the “Notice.”
• The federal “Ozone-Depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations, 2016” repeal and replace the “Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations, 1998” as of December 29, 2016. The new version of the regulations are intended to ensure that Canada’s international obligations under the “Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer” are met and to introduce a new permitting and reporting system for the import, manufacture and export of HFCs. The “Regulations” continue to require reductions in production and import of various ODS substances according to a phase-out schedule. They require reduction of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) emissions and other ODS, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The “Regulations” also contain prohibitions, a permit system, reporting and record keeping requirements.
• The new federal “Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations” establish mandatory national performance standards for the cement sector, gaseous-fossil-fuel-fired boilers and heaters, and stationary spark-ignition gaseous-fuel-fired engines. The performance standards limit the quantity of nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide that can be emitted from cement manufacturing facilities, and they limit the rate at which nitrogen dioxide can be emitted from the boilers and heaters and stationary engines. Most of the legislation entered into force on June 17, 2016; however, there are some provisions that will be phased in on January 1, 2021, 2023, 2026 and 2036.
• Under Environment Canada’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reporting Program, a notice is published every year in Part I of the Canada Gazette outlining the GHG reporting requirements for the corresponding calendar year. There were no changes to the reporting requirements from those provided in the notice for 2014. The “Notice with Respect to Reporting of Greenhouse Gases for 2015,” published on October 17, 2015, applies to the 2015 calendar year.
• The federal “Asbestos Products Regulations 2016” repeal and replace the “Asbestos Products Regulations 2007.” The “Regulations” require authorizations for and set limits on the import, advertising and sale of certain types of asbestos products and are not substantively different than the 2007 “Regulations.”
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.
Lorraine O'Donovan, Specialty Technical Publishers, http://www.stpub.com, +1 1-800-251-0381, [email protected]
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