Advocacy –
Fall 2025 multi-stakeholder workshop: Call-out for speakers and topics
The third annual Workplace Hazardous Products Program multi-stakeholder workshop is planned for fall 2025. The intent of this forum is to facilitate engagement and dialogue across the WHMIS community to improve participation and the exchange of knowledge. Summaries of previous workshops are available:
The workshop will take place virtually over 1 to 2 half days, depending on the proposed agenda items.
We therefore invite all interested stakeholder groups to propose discussion items that their organizations could lead as part of the upcoming workshop.
This invitation is open to industry associations, labour organizations, federal, provincial and territorial partners, and any other group with an interest in Health Canada decision-making regarding hazard communication of workplace chemical products.
To inform productive and effective sessions, please send proposed agenda items to [email protected] by September 5, 2025, including any relevant contact information for the individual(s) that would lead the proposed discussion topic.
For action, CIFER registration renewal window opening on July 1, 2025
This message is a reminder to companies (manufacturers, processors, storage facilities) whose products are exported to China and are registered in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system, which is administered by the General Administration of Customs China (GACC).
Please note that there are currently many registrations in the system under the following product categories that will be expiring on January 1, 2026:
| Edible oil and oilseeds Plant spices Grain milling industrial products and malt Grain products and other products |
To maintain your eligibility to export these products to China, you must log in to your account and submit an Application for Extension; this is required by China to maintain export eligibility. Applications for extension must be submitted within the 3- to 6-month window prior to the expiry date (in this case, between July 1 and September 30, 2025). If this step is not completed on time, the current CIFER registration may be cancelled by China and a new registration application process will be required. If an establishment’s registration is cancelled, products cannot be exported to China until a new registration is approved by GACC. GACC’s approval timelines are unpredictable and often lengthy.
For additional information, please refer to the following guidance documents:
Federal
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service – National Organic Program (NOP) Enforcement deadline Update
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule requires that importers of organic products into the United States must be certified under the USDA organic regulations by a USDA-accredited certifier. This includes operations physically located outside of the United States that are acting as the importer of record for such shipments, regardless of any other certifications they hold for other organic activities. The USDA NOP certification requirement for U.S. importers of organic products will be enforced beginning July 15, 2025. Starting on this date, Canada Organic Regime (COR) certified operations acting as the U.S. importer of record will need to be certified for importing activities under the USDA organic regulations.
For full details, visit USDA Agricultural Marketing Service – National Organic Program (NOP) Enforcement deadline update.
Additional resources:
| Strengthening Organic Enforcement Contact USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) with any questions: [email protected] |
Updates to the CFIA Fish List
Please be advised that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has added the common names for the following fish species within the CFIA Fish List:
Click on the link to learn more.
Today, the Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, launched a 45-day public consultation on proposed changes to how Canada regulates precursor chemicals and devices such as pill presses and encapsulators that could be used in the illegal production of drugs. The consultation is open until August 12, 2025.
The public consultation will allow impacted stakeholders, such as regulated industries that use precursors for legitimate uses, pharmacies and individual pharmacists, to provide feedback on the proposed changes. These changes would strengthen controls around precursor chemicals and drug equipment to support law and border enforcement as they take action to stop their illegal importation and distribution.
PMRA Recent postings of consultations and decisions
The Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for pesticide regulation in Canada. The public registry is where you can learn more about all pest control products registered for use in Canada.
Provincial
Hilton Foods to build its first North American processing plant in Ontario – Food In CanadaFood In Canada
Hilton Foods Canada will spend $192 million to build its first North American food processing and distribution facility in Brantford, Ont. The project is expected to create 150 new jobs. The Ontario government is supporting Hilton Foods’ expansion with a $1.5 million investment from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.
Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provide drought support with the doubled low yield appraisal – Canada.ca
Today, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison announced the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is implementing measures to offer support to producers facing this year’s challenging dry conditions. SCIC is implementing the double low yield appraisal process, encouraging acres of low-yielding eligible crops to be diverted to make additional feed available to graze, bale or silage.
Ontario strengthening province’s cattle farm sector – Canada.ca
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $5 million to help make community grazing pastures in Ontario more productive and resilient. To support the Ontario government’s plan to protect Ontario, this funding will help strengthen Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector by helping cattle farmers improve the quality of shared community pasture lands for their herds so they can stay competitive and resilient to withstand economic uncertainly from the U.S. and whatever comes our way.
New website supports Prince Edward Island producers – Canada.ca
A new website developed by the provincial Department of Agriculture is now available to help Prince Edward Island’s agriculture industry better understand and access programs available through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
USA
User fees from food companies could support FDA’s food safety programs | Food Safety News
If the FDA charged food companies user fees it could strengthen its oversight of food safety, according to a recent study. The study, “Advancing the FDA’s Human Foods Program Through Additional Authorities and User Fees,” was published in the journal Health Affairs in May and includes analysis of the lack of user fees on the food side of the Food and Drug Administration.
FDA Updates General Food Labeling Requirements Compliance Program | FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated Compliance Program 7321.005, now titled General Food Labeling Requirements and Labeling-Related Sample Analysis – Domestic and Import. This update replaces the previous 2010 version of the program and reflects current labeling regulations, operational guidance, and enforcement priorities.
Federal Register :: Conducting Remote Regulatory Assessments-Questions and Answers; Guidance for Industry; Availability
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or Agency) is announcing the availability of a final guidance for industry entitled “Conducting Remote Regulatory Assessments—Question and Answers.” The final guidance describes FDA’s current thinking regarding its use of remote regulatory assessments (RRAs) and provides answers to frequently asked questions. FDA has used RRAs to conduct oversight, mitigate risk, meet critical public health needs, and help evaluate compliance of FDA-regulated products with applicable regulatory requirements.
International
All news – ECHA
ECHA adds three hazardous chemicals to the Candidate List
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) now contains 250 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment. Companies are responsible for managing the risks of these chemicals and giving customers and consumers information on their safe use.
Two newly added substances are very persistent and very bioaccumulative. They are used, for example, in cosmetics, personal care products and in automotive care products. One substance is toxic for reproduction and is used in textile treatment products and dyes.
Members raise new and existing food safety topics at WTO meeting | Food Safety News
Four new trade topics were discussed at the latest World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on food safety.
Attendees at the June meeting of the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures addressed trade concerns related to food safety and animal and plant health.
WHO: Ultra-processed food guidance
Industry on alert as the World Health Organization advises on UPF consumption
ISO – Singapore sets benchmark with carbon-neutral tradeshows
By applying ISO 14068-1 at major international events, the country is redefining sustainable tourism – cutting emissions, rethinking materials and leading the way to net zero.
Safety Share
Swimming safety – Canada.ca
Keep swim safety in mind this summer.
Children must be closely monitored even when they’re using swimming aids like armbands, floating seats, water wings, and neck rings. These devices are not intended to save lives.
Help your children learn about water safety by signing them up for a local swimming and water safety program.
June 2025 issue: Workplace Hazardous Products Program newsletter – Canada.ca
This issue shares important updates, such as the addition of “variance” information to the Guidance on the WHMIS supplier requirements, and a call-out for speakers and topics for the fall 2025 multi-stakeholder workshop.
Events
Pollen Food allergy Syndrome Webinar Registration Free Webinar Food Allergy Canada Wed, Aug 20, 2025,12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
When nature cross-reacts: A closer look at pollen food allergy syndrome – diagnosis, management, and treatment.
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