November 20, 2024

EPA Extends Deadline for Public Comment on Manufacture of Certain PFAS during Fluorination of HDPE and Other Plastic Containers

On November 20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an extension to the comment period for the notice published September 30, 2024, seeking public comment on the manufacture of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), during the fluorination of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other plastic containers to inform regulations as appropriate under the...
November 15, 2024

EPA Releases Third Annual PFAS Strategic Roadmap Report

On November 14, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of its third annual progress report, “highlighting the significant achievements the agency has made under its PFAS Strategic Roadmap and the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government strategy to protect communities from the impacts of forever chemicals.” According to EPA’s press release, progress on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the Biden-Harris Administration includes:...
November 14, 2024

Leadership Changes Coming to EPA and Environmental Committees in Congress; TSCA Fees Due to Be Reauthorized by 2026

Elections bring significant change, especially in Presidential election years. During the 76-day period between Election Day and Inauguration Day, President-elect Trump and his transition team are busy selecting people to serve in his Administration. Congress has even less time, only 59 days from the election until the 119th Congress convenes January 3, 2025, at noon. A previous post looks at what Congress may do during the lame duck period. This post looks at who will...
November 12, 2024

EUON Publishes Study on Nanomaterial Applications for Agriculture

The European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) announced on November 12, 2024, that it published a new study evaluating nanomaterials applications in biocidal, plant protection, and fertilizing products used in agriculture. The study, “Collection and review of information on nanomaterial-based and nano-enabled plant protection products, biocidal products and fertilising products,” addresses knowledge gaps on applications, exposure, and hazards of nanomaterials and...
November 11, 2024

NASEM Announces New International Bioeconomy Forum to Launch in Early 2025

On October 28, 2024, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced that a new NASEM initiative, the International Bioeconomy Forum, will launch in early 2025. According to NASEM, its International Bioeconomy Roundtable and the Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE) met on September 13, 2024, during the Global Bio-India 2024 conference in New Delhi, India, to discuss the scope of the International Bioeconomy Forum. NASEM states that the forum will...
November 8, 2024

DOE’s Agile BioFoundry and Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit Partner with Industrial Microbes to Scale Up Biobased Process

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) announced on October 7, 2024, that researchers at its Agile BioFoundry (ABF) and Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit (ABPDU) successfully scaled up a biobased process that converts ethanol into “a valuable precursor for consumer products, such as paints, coatings, and diapers.” The researchers worked with industry partner Industrial Microbes to develop the process. Although acrylic acid is...
November 7, 2024

APHIS Releases Final Guide to Submitting Reports and Notices in APHIS eFile and Response to Comments

On November 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) announced the completion of the final version of the Guide to Submitting Data for Reports and Notices in APHIS eFile and the Response to Comments: Guide to Submitting Data for Reports and Notices in APHIS eFile. In October 2023, to clarify and streamline its biotechnology regulations further, BRS published for comment a draft guide...
November 7, 2024

WEBINAR — Cultivated meat: opportunities and challenges, November 14, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

The International Bar Association (IBA) Agriculture and Food Section (AFS) is pleased to present a webinar, “Cultivated meat: opportunities and challenges,” on November 14, 2024, spotlighting the considerable opportunities cultivated meat offers. Cultivated meat, also known as lab-grown or cell-based meat, introduces a groundbreaking approach to meat production, poised to tackle the challenges of traditional animal agriculture. During this event, presenters Maarten Van der Heijden, Food and...
November 6, 2024

Registration Opens for USDA’s 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened registration for the 101st Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event, entitled “Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges, Today,” will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, on February 27-28, 2025. Additionally, USDA will livestream all Forum sessions on a virtual platform. According to USDA, the program will feature a presentation on the 2025 outlook for the U.S. agricultural economy and trade by USDA Chief Economist...
November 5, 2024

USDA Announces $239 Million to Increase Access to Domestic Biofuels

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 29, 2024, that it is awarding $39 million in grants to U.S. business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 18 states and provide cleaner, more affordable fuel options. USDA will also make $200 million available through the new Biobased Market Access and Development Grants made possible by Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds. According to USDA, the awards and funding are made possible through...
November 4, 2024

EC Committee Issues Final Opinion on New Coating for Titanium Dioxide (Nano Form)

The European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published its final opinion on a new coating for titanium dioxide on October 25, 2024. According to the abstract, SCCS concluded that “there are a number of uncertainties and data gaps that do not allow a conclusion on the safety of titanium dioxide (nano) coated with a combination of w/w 6% Aluminium Hydroxide, 14% Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate and 10% Dimethicone (Eclipse 70) — either on...
November 4, 2024

APHIS Issues RSR Responses for Modified Orange, Corn, Almond, and Tomato Plants

In October 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed the following plants modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they posed an increased plant pest risk relative to non-modified comparators: APHIS states that it found these modified plants were unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 C.F.R. Part 340. APHIS...
November 2, 2024

Treasury Department and IRS Issue Guidance for SAF Credit

On October 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury Department) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2024-74 for the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) credit created by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According to the IRS’ October 18, 2024, press release, the SAF credit ranges from $1.25 to $1.75 for each gallon of SAF in a qualified mixture. To qualify for the credit, the SAF must have a minimum reduction of 50...
November 1, 2024

Washington, D.C., Is about to Get Busy: What Will Happen during the 76-Day Sprint from Election Day to Inauguration Day

There is much that happens in Washington, D.C., and in the states in the 76 days between Election Day (November 5, 2024) and Inauguration Day (January 20, 2025). My last post identified some of the unfinished business the 118th Congress needs to address (e.g., funding the government beyond December 20, 2024, passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and providing funding for disaster relief) before it adjourns sine die. The exact date and time of...
October 31, 2024

BRS Will Hold Annual Stakeholder Meeting on November 14, 2024

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) will hold its annual stakeholder meeting on November 14, 2024. The meeting will take place in person at the USDA Center at Riverside, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, Maryland, with an option for virtual attendance. The meeting agenda includes the following items: Registration is open....
October 30, 2024

Registration Open for NURA Webinar Series on Addressing Systemic Toxicity with NAMs

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) New Approach Methodologies (NAM) Use for Regulatory Application (NURA) program has announced two upcoming webinars in the DyNAMic Discussions series. This webinar series invites speakers to share candid perspectives on how they have overcome barriers to apply NAMs in their fields and discuss how these examples can be used to promote the use of NAMs in other situations. All DyNAMic Discussion webinars have been recorded. Materials,...
October 24, 2024

Registration Opens for NNI Webinar on Nanometrology Involving Big Data, AI, and Modeling

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) is organizing a series of National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) webinars on nanometrology, metrological challenges, and recent advances in three topical areas: food, agriculture, and the environment; nanoscale medical and pharmaceutical products; and nanoparticles in electronics. Registration is open for the sixth webinar in the series, “Nanometrology for Continuous and Automated Manufacturing.” The November 1, 2024, webinar will...
October 18, 2024

USDA’s ARS Develops Long-Term Roadmap for PFAS in U.S. Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced on October 16, 2024, several key outcomes from a workshop held to develop a research roadmap leading to short- and long-term science-based solutions to meet the challenges posed by the discovery of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in agricultural soils and waters. ARS, its Center of Excellence for Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation, and the University of Maine collaborated during the workshop to...
October 18, 2024

Survey on Carbon-Based Nanomaterials and Analytical Methods Closes November 1, 2024

On October 10, 2024, the European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) announced that, in collaboration with NovaMechanics, it is conducting a survey to gather insights on analytical methods for identifying, characterizing, and quantifying carbon-based nanomaterials in various matrices. According to EUON, the initiative “aims to assess the current situation about analytical methods for these types of nanomaterials, whether advanced or more classical nanomaterials.” Responses will...
October 15, 2024

EPA Issues Annual Progress Report on Pesticide Reregistration Performance Measures and Goals

On October 3, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the availability of its progress report (Report) in meeting its performance measures and goals for pesticide reregistration during fiscal years (FY) 2020, 2021, and 2022. 89 Fed. Reg. 80558. Section 4(l) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires EPA to publish information about EPA’s annual achievements in this area. The Report discusses the...