All Knowledge & Insights By Date

On May 17, 2013, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) published a report on regional, state, and local (RSL) initiatives in nanotechnology. See http://nano.gov/node/1020 The report is the result of a workshop, convened May 1-2, 2012, and sponsored by the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council and the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute....

Inside EPA featured B&C®’s commentary in an article titled “Early Concerns Hint At Senate Debate Over Bipartisan TSCA Reform Bill.” Read the full commentary, “The Chemical Safety Improvement Act: An In-Depth Review and Analysis,” here....

In an editorial titled “An Opening to Strengthen Chemical Regulations,” the editorial board of the New York Times featured comments from B&C® affiliate Charles M. Auer of Charles Auer & Associates, LLC on the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013, introduced in the Senate to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act: “Charles Auer, a career scientist and senior official at the agency under George W. Bush, has praised the bill for potentially resolving the risk management issues...

In a stunning bipartisan show of support for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that few saw coming, Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) (among bipartisan others) introduced on May 22, 2013, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), later designated S. 1009, available online. CSIA provides a new and streamlined approach to reform TSCA that stakeholders may view favorably when compared to prior legislative templates that have been considered...

In May 2013, the European Commission (EC) posted a January 2013 report entitled Examination and assessment of consequences for industry, consumers, human health and the environment of possible options for changing the REACH requirements for nanomaterials. According to the report, 12 of the 21 originally suggested options are considered already implemented with existing legislation and guidance. The other nine options were considered relevant for an adaptation of the Registration, Evaluation,...

Charles M. Auer, former Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, which is responsible for the implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), was quoted in a press release issued yesterday by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding the introduction of S. 1009, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, historic bi-partisan TSCA reform legislation. Charlie is affiliated with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C....

Senator David Vitter (R-LA) announced today that he and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) are the lead co-sponsors on a bill to reauthorize and amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The bill, entitled the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), is co-sponsored by the following Senators: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) Mike Crapo (R-ID) Dick Durbin (D-IL) Lamar Alexander (R-TN) Charles Schumer (D-NY) James Inhofe (R-OK) Tom Udall (D-NM) Susan Collins (R-ME) Joe Manchin (D-WV) Marco...

On May 9, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a significant new use rule (SNUR) for premanufacture notice (PMN) substance P-12-44, which is identified as “functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes.” According to the Federal Register notice, “[t]he PMN states that the generic (non-confidential) use of the substance is as an additive for rubber and batteries.” EPA states that it determined that “use of the substance other than as...

In a May 21, 2013, article reporting on the Senate’s Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 (S. 954) and the House’s Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013 (H.R. 1947), Daily Environment Report quoted Ms. Bergeson: “‘The House bill would provide only discretionary funding for the programs,’ Lynn Bergeson, managing principal of the law firm Bergeson & Campbell PC, which manages the Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC), told BNA May 20....

In an article reporting on “the antimicrobial pesticide data rule released in final form May 8,” Inside EPA Daily News included commentary from B&C®: “Law firm Bergeson & Campbell calls the new rule ‘the first time [EPA] has issued final data requirements specific to antimicrobial products’ but warns that the greater clarity comes with greater costs and time to complete the newly required studies.” Read the full commentary here....