July 6, 2011

ECHA Releases Draft Revised REACH Data Sharing Guidance

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has sent to the Partner Expert Group (PEG) a draft of a second version of the guidance on data sharing for phase-in and non-phase-in substances under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (Data Sharing Guidance). The first edition of the Data Sharing Guidance was published in 2007. ECHA has revised the entire Data Sharing Guidance document, including correcting mistakes and inconsistencies, proposing to remove...
July 1, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson, “U.S. Issues Guidance for Regulating Nanotechnology,” Chemical Processing, July 2011.

On June 9, 2011, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released principles specific to the regulation and oversight of nanotechnology applications. The principles are intended to guide the development and implementation of policies, as described in “U.S. Decision-Making Concerning Regulation and Oversight of Application of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials.” This column discusses the principles and outlines their role in the governance of nanotechnology in the United States....
July 1, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Protect Yourself:  OSHA Releases a New Guidance,” Manufacturing Today, Summer 2011.

For the manufacturing work force, selecting and requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most important elements of assuring a safe and healthful work environment. What PPE to wear, who pays for it and how to determine which is the right PPE to protect against a known hazard in the workplace are all critically important issues, both from the perspective of an employee’s personal safety and an employer’s freedom from...
June 30, 2011

Taiwan Expected to Publish Draft National Inventory of Existing Chemicals at End of 2011

Taiwan is likely to publish a draft national inventory of existing chemical substances by the end of 2011. During an interagency meeting held the week of June 20, 2011, participants chose to delay publication of the draft inventory to align it with legislation for new chemicals notification. Taiwan will introduce new chemicals notification by amending two laws — the Labor Safety and Health Act (LSHA), managed by the Council of Labor Affairs, and the Toxic Chemical...
June 21, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Protect Yourself,” Manufacturing Today, Summer 2011.

For the manufacturing work force, selecting and requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the most important elements of assuring a safe and healthful work environment. What PPE to wear, who pays for it and how to determine which is the right PPE to protect against a known hazard in the workplace are all critically important issues, both from the perspective of an employee’s personal safety and an employer’s freedom from...
June 21, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson, “State Chemical Reform Initiatives:  Advocates Press for Change,” Environmental Quality Management, Summer 2011.

The federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has remained largely unchanged since its adoption in 1976, some 35 years ago. Congressional inaction has not gone unnoticed by state governments, which are increasingly dismayed by their federal counterpart’s seeming indifference to the public’s demand for stricter chemical controls and its growing distrust of federal chemical-control measures. As a result, states are taking matters into their own hands by adopting laws, resolutions, and...
June 20, 2011

Nanotechnology Caucus Will Hold Lecture on June 22

The Nanotechnology Caucus will hold a lecture entitled “Nanotechnology 101” on June 22, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The agenda includes: Lynn L. Bergeson is Chair of the NanoBCA Environment, Health, and Safety Committee and worked closely with Senator Wyden’s staff in organizing the meeting. To RSVP, please contact Vincent Caprio at vincent@nanobca.org....