![Drug manufacturing laboratory equipment](https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/-/media/images/nrf/thought-leadership/canada/publications/life-sciences-healthcare-lab-equipment.jpg?w=265&revision=355955d3-b814-40be-80c7-63b3ad62cb43&revision=5248910870347387904&hash=1F3BEDB56F2489EB29C4E2FCBDED3656)
Publication
Health Canada identifies lithium-ion batteries, infant bath seats, and water beads as hazards of concern
Health Canada has recently identified three new classes of products that pose a hazard of concern.
Australia | Publication | August 2022
Modern Slavery Act review
The Terms of Reference for the statutory review of the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Act) have been released and public submissions are now open.
On 22 August 2022 the Attorney-General’s Department released its Issues Paper for public consultation in relation to the operation of the Act since its commencement in January 2019 and whether any reforms are necessary or desirable to improve compliance.
The consultation process presents an opportunity for business and other key stakeholders to provide feedback on their experience in dealing with the Act to date and their views on proposed legislative changes.
Matters to be considered in the review include:
The question of whether the legislature will introduce financial penalties for non-compliance is a live issue. France, Canada, the United States and Germany have already introduced or proposed to introduce legislation that will impose civil penalties or sanctions on companies that fail to comply with mandatory due diligence procedures or reporting requirements.
The review of the Act is expected to be completed by 31 March 2023.
Any person or organisation seeking to make a submission must do so by midnight AEST 22 November 2022. To ensure that you have your say, make a submission by:
Modern Slavery Act Review Secretariat
Attorney-General’s Department
3-5 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600
ModernSlaveryActReview@abf.gov.au
Attorney General’s Department responsibility for the MSA
The Australian Border Force, which sits under the Department of Home Affairs, has announced that responsibility for the Act is now with the Attorney-General’s Department. The review will be undertaken by Professor John McMillan, AO, supported by this department.
See our update regarding the impact of a change of government upon the review of the Act.
This article was co-authored with Amy O'Bryan.
Knowledge
Publication
Health Canada has recently identified three new classes of products that pose a hazard of concern.
Publication
An employer’s ability to ask for a sick note when an employee is absent from work due to illness is becoming increasingly curtailed across Canada.
Publication
Over the past two years, Spain has significantly strengthened its foreign investment screening mechanism, and all acquisitions by foreign investors (as defined below) of a Spanish entity active in a strategic sector are subject to prior authorisation by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism (“MoICT”).
Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest legal news, information and events . . .
© Norton Rose Fulbright LLP 2023