Are you compliant with the Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations?
At a glance
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s revised Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations came into effect in September 2019. While companies have had six months to comply, facilities may still struggle to be compliant with the new requirements.
We can help identify what changes may be needed to your facility’s existing plans and public engagement programs as well as provide ongoing support with the more prescriptive exercise, and reporting requirements under the E2 Regulations.
What are the Environmental Emergency (E2) Regulations?
These regulations are an important aspect of Canada’s approach to managing environmental emergencies, such as spills.
The E2 Regulations list substances determined to be hazardous, and impose specific requirements on persons and companies who store or have the charge, management or control of a regulated substance at a facility.
In the revised regulations, 33 new regulated substances have been added, meaning some organizations previously unaffected by the regulations may now need to comply.
Environmental Emergency (E2) Plans
One of the key changes of E2 Regulations is the requirement for a regulated party to ensure their E2 plan is adequate to address environmental emergency-related situations that could potentially occur at their facilities.
Existing E2 plans may need to be updated to comply with the new requirements. Organizations may also need to develop new plans for the additional regulated substances, which may require:
- The determination of the reasonable worst case and any alternative scenarios
- Spatial identification of regulated substances and sensitive receptors
- Consequence modelling to determine off-site impact distances
- Risk communication plans and public engagement
- Assistance in determining a facility’s prevention, preparedness, response and recovery measures
Our experienced Emergency Management and Preparedness team is intimately familiar with the new regulations, E2 plan development and upkeep. We can assess your current E2 plans against the new regulations; help you update or develop new plans and provide the framework associated with adequately addressing a potential environmental emergency at your facility.
Emergency response exercises
Another significant change is the requirement for annual exercises to practice the response to a simulated scenario of each regulated hazard present at a facility. Every five years, a full-scale exercise is required, including the deployment of personnel, resources, and equipment.
We can help you plan and implement these exercises in innovative and cost-effective ways, based on the scenarios that could occur at your facility. Our team includes emergency management specialists, emergency responders, engineers, industrial hygienists, safety professionals, and environmental compliance specialists who can tailor the exercises to your needs while helping you meet the new regulatory requirements.