In a significant move toward modernizing chemical safety assessments, on June 2, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two major actions aimed at replacing traditional, animal-based testing with advanced scientific alternatives, typically known as New Approach Methods (NAM), for chemical assessments under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). EPA is also introducing a streamlined process for researchers,...
June 16, 2026
EUON Publishes Nanopinion on How Simple Rules Can Guide the Design of Boron Nanomaterials
On June 9, 2026, the European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) published a Nanopinion entitled “From Boron Fullerenes to Borophenes: A Simple Rule for Designing New Nanomaterials” by Nevill Gonzalez Szwacki, Ph.D., a theoretical physicist at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw. The article describes how an idea known as atomic coordination can link different types of boron nanomaterials, including boron fullerenes and borophenes. According to the article, boron...
As reported in our May 22, 2026, blog item, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on May 18, 2026, that it will hold a hearing on June 18, 2026, on the notice of filing to add methyl methacrylate-ethyl methacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer in a styrene solution to the list of taxable substances. 91 Fed. Reg. 28759. According to a June 11, 2026, Federal Register notice, the IRS did not receive any requests to testify or outlines of topics. 91 Fed. Reg. 35615. Therefore, the IRS has...
On June 5, 2026, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) issued California Notice 2026-05 announcing the availability of the semiannual report summarizing the reevaluation status of pesticide products during the period of July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. All pesticides sold or distributed in the United States must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can be used. DPR evaluates all pesticides before they can be sold or used in...
Beginning July 1, 2026, Connecticut will prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of certain consumer products that contain intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) unless the manufacturer provides prior notification to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and labels these products. The consumer products are apparel; carpets or rugs; cleaning products; cookware; cosmetic products; dental floss; fabric treatments; children’s...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) has initiated the rollout of its new pesticide application submission service within its MyPeST application. EPA plans to replace the Pesticide Submission Portal (PSP) within its Central Data Exchange (CDX) for pesticide submissions with the expanded MyPeST platform for all customer interactions. The rollout will occur in three Phases -- with Phase I going into effect on July 3, 2026. All data submitters,...
On June 2, 2026, Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jon Husted (R-OH) introduced the Safer Choice Program Authorization Act (SCPAA) (S. 4664) to authorize formally and strengthen the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice Program. Coons’ June 3, 2026, press release states that the SCPAA would codify EPA’s Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE) Programs, “which have helped drive innovation in safer chemistry for decades while providing consumers and...
June 3, 2026
EPA Issues Fact Check Stating That It Has Not Authorized the Release of Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “Fact Check” on May 27, 2026, to “set the record straight” regarding recent claims circulating online that EPA has recently authorized the release of genetically engineered (GE) mosquitoes. EPA states that “[t]hese claims are false.” EPA provides the following facts: A previously issued Experimental Use Permit (EUP) expired in 2024; No releases are currently authorized in the United States; and EPA is not aware of any releases...
The Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO) FIFRA 25(b) Workgroup has released updated guidance intended to aid registrants in developing product efficacy data to support claims on products that qualify for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 25(b) minimum risk exemption when seeking state registration. Under FIFRA Section 25(b), as detailed in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 C.F.R. Section 152.25(f)), the U.S. Environmental...
On May 21, 2026, Representatives April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the Standards and Calibration for American Leadership in Engineering Biology (SCALE Biology) Act (H.R. 8981). According to McClain Delaney’s May 22, 2026, press release, the bipartisan legislation would establish a new federal program dedicated to biometrology, “an advanced science critical to U.S. leadership in emerging biotechnology, including healthcare innovation, agricultural research,...