November 19, 2010

California Releases Revised Safer Consumer Product Alternatives Regulations for Comment

On November 16, 2010, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) released revisions to its safer consumer product alternatives regulations for a 15-day comment period. The proposed regulations pertain to the identification and prioritization of chemicals of concern in consumer products, evaluation of their alternatives, and regulatory responses for selected alternatives. CDTSC held a public hearing on November 1, 2010, during which it accepted written and oral testimony. In...
November 18, 2010

EPA Proposes EDSP Policies and Procedures for SDWA Chemicals and Issues Second List of Chemicals for EDSP Tier 1 Screening

On November 17, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published draft policies and procedures for screening Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) chemicals under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). 75 Fed. Reg. 70558. “SDWA chemicals” are substances which “may be found in sources of drinking water if the Administrator determines that a substantial population may be exposed” (SDWA Section 1457). In the notice, EPA divided SDWA chemicals into two...
November 17, 2010

EPA Announces Second List of Chemicals for EDSP Screening and Publication of Proposed Policies and Procedures

On November 17, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the second list of chemicals and substances for which EPA intends to issue test orders under the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). 75 Fed. Reg. 70248. EPA states that the list of 134 chemicals “includes a large number of pesticides, two perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs), and three pharmaceuticals (erythromycin, nitroglycerin, and quinoline). This list also consists of an array of other chemicals,...
November 16, 2010

Australian Government Reviews Notification Process for Industrial Nanomaterials

The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) recently announced new administrative processes for the notification and assessment of industrial nanomaterials that are considered new chemicals, which will be of interest to companies introducing nanomaterials as new chemicals in Australia. NICNAS is the governmental, industrial chemical notification system in Australia and is responsible for the management of the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances. After...
November 10, 2010

EPA Subpoenas Halliburton for Data on Chemicals Used in Hydraulic Fracturing

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subpoenaed Halliburton Co. on November 10, 2010, for hydraulic fracturing data citing, among others, authority under Section 11(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In response to a request from Congress to study hydraulic fracturing’s potential impact on drinking water, human health, and the environment, on September 9, 2010, EPA issued voluntary information requests to nine national and regional hydraulic fracturing service...
November 8, 2010

EPA Proposes Revisions to FIFRA Procedures to Ensure Protection of Data Submitters’ Rights

On November 5, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed revisions to the regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 152, governing the procedures for the satisfaction of data requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 75 Fed. Reg. 68297 (online). EPA states that these regulations have not been revised since they were first issued in 1984, so many of the proposed revisions accommodate statutory and procedural changes that have occurred since then...