1. Pledge to strengthen CEPA

With the federal election fast approaching, future impacts on CEPA will be dictated by the election outcome. The Liberal Party, Green Party, Bloc Quebecois, and New Democrats all pledged to open discussion on CEPA reform. This is after the 15-month review by the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development was reviewed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. This reform is expected to occur in 2020.

https://chemicalwatch.com/83119/feature-spotlight-falls-on-canadian-chemical-policy-ahead-of-impending-election#overlay-strip

2. U.S. EPA proposes changes to the Lead and Copper Rule

On 10th October, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) announced revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. The new proposal includes replacing old lead service lines while also implementing faster notification times from 30 days to 24 hours. This represents the first major revision of the U.S. Lead and Copper Rule since 1991.

U.S. EPA release: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-updates-lead-and-copper-rule-better-protect-children-and-risk-0

Authors: Mike Wolfe and Sophie Guinard