Act
Amendments to Reg. 347 under the EPA relating to generation, collection, transportation and storage of waste from COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Point-of-Care Testing.
Regulation Number(s):
O. Regulation 384/21
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Environmental Prottection Act
Summary of Decision:
We have amended Regulation 347 to remove requirements for the collection, storage and transportation of hazardous waste generated by COVID-19 antigen testing. The waste is still required to be disposed of at approved biomedical waste disposal site.
Given the high number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks occurring across the province, there is urgency to reducing transmission of COVID-19, especially in high-risk and critical sectors. The regulation is essential to support the on-going implementation and demand related to enhanced COVID-19 antigen point-of-care testing at essential workplaces and other locations.
Proactive screening of asymptomatic individuals in these locations will help to identify potential COVID-19 infections that may otherwise not be caught through other testing mechanisms. This will help to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in places where closure or reduced capacity is not a realistic option.
Any delay in implementing the proposed amendments could deter businesses from participating in the program which would result in persons potentially being unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19.
Given the high number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks occurring across the province, there is urgency to reducing transmission of COVID-19, especially in high-risk and critical sectors. The regulation is essential to support the on-going implementation and demand related to enhanced COVID-19 antigen point-of-care testing at essential workplaces and other locations.
Proactive screening of asymptomatic individuals in these locations will help to identify potential COVID-19 infections that may otherwise not be caught through other testing mechanisms. This will help to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in places where closure or reduced capacity is not a realistic option.
Any delay in implementing the proposed amendments could deter businesses from participating in the program which would result in persons potentially being unnecessarily exposed to COVID-19.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
This proposal is exempt from completing a Regulatory Impact Analysis due to it being made as a response to an emergency.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
21-MECP020
Posting Date:
Summary of Proposal:
We have amended Regulation 347 to remove requirements for the collection, storage and transportation of hazardous waste generated by COVID-19 antigen testing. The waste is still required to be disposed of at approved biomedical waste disposal site.
Given the high number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks occurring across the province, there is urgency to reducing transmission of COVID-19, especially in high-risk and critical sectors. The regulation is essential to support the on-going implementat
Given the high number of COVID-19 cases and outbreaks occurring across the province, there is urgency to reducing transmission of COVID-19, especially in high-risk and critical sectors. The regulation is essential to support the on-going implementat
Contact Address:
Resource Recovery Policy Branch Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
40 St. Clair Avenue West, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1M2
40 St. Clair Avenue West, 8th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1M2
Royal Assent Date:
May 26, 2021
Decision:
Approved