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,...
May 24, 2013
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Quotes Charles M. Auer’s Comments on TSCA Reform Legislation
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. and its...
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 Rubio...
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 described in the PMN; manufacturing,...
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.
On April 24, 2013, the South Korea National Assembly Environmental and Labor Committee passed the Act on Registration and Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances, commonly known as Korea REACH or K-REACH. On April 30, 2013, the National Assembly enacted K-REACH, and it is now scheduled to come into force on January 1, 2015. Information on K-REACH is not yet available on the Ministry of Environment's website. A translation of the Act is available online. This...
James V. Aidala was quoted in the May 3, 2013, issue of Pesticide and Chemical Policy on the effect on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of a recent decision by the European Commission to restrict use of three neonicotinoids: “‘The pressure on EPA will increase as a result of the European restrictions,’ says James Aidala, senior government consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, and former assistant administrator for EPA’s office of prevention, pesticides, and toxic...
Pesticide and Chemical Policy spoke with James V. Aidala for the article “National Academy Urges Federal Agencies to Adopt ERA Methodology,” in the May 3, 2013, issue and featured the following comment as their “Quote of the Week”: “‘The [NAS report] doesn’t get to the issue of the fact EPA and the [wildlife] services don’t like to play in the same sandbox together,’ — James Aidala, senior consultant, Bergeson & Campbell, and former assistant administrator for...
On May 8, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a long-awaited final rule revising the data requirements for antimicrobial pesticide products. EPA states the revisions "reflect current scientific and regulatory practice, and [] provide the regulated community with clearer and transparent information about the data needed to support pesticide registration decisions for antimicrobial products." The final rule revises and updates the data requirements for antimicrobial...