October 28, 2010

CPSC Posts Draft Final Rule Regarding Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released an October 14, 2010, memorandum that includes its draft final rule concerning the publicly available, searchable database on the safety of consumer products, and other substances the CPSC regulates. The database is intended to provide a single point of access to reports of harm involving consumer products, manufacturer’s comments on the reports, and recall information. Under Section 212 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of...
October 26, 2010

Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2010

We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson is included in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2010. Bergeson, who is included in the breakdown of “most highly regarded individuals” in the environment category, is described as “a sought-after speaker and an ‘expert in chemicals regulation.'” The publication is based on research, including conversations with private practice lawyers of international standing in the practice area...
October 22, 2010

USPTO Expands Green Technology Pilot Program

On October 20, 2010, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it is seeking comment on its expansion of the Green Technology Pilot Program. 75 Fed. Reg. 64692. USPTO implemented the Pilot Program on December 8, 2009, permitting patent applications pertaining to green technologies, including greenhouse gas reduction, to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier. USPTO intends the Program to promote the development of green technologies, which could include...
October 22, 2010

Reporter’s Notebook

The October 22, 2010, issue of Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News awards Lynn L. Bergeson the quote of the week: “EPA was given the sun, the moon, the stars under pending TSCA reform legislation. They’re likely to be taken back.”...
October 19, 2010

OSHA Proposes Interpretation of Its Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise

On October 19, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed to alter significantly its interpretation of the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” as that term is used in the applicable sections of OSHA’s General Industry and Construction Occupational Noise Exposure standards. 75 Fed. Reg. 64216. Under the standard, which is codified at 29 C.F.R. Sections 1910.95(b)(1) and 1926.52(b), employers must use administrative or engineering...
October 13, 2010

EPA Sends Draft Revisions to Human Research Rule to Secretary of Agriculture

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it has forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture, a draft proposed rule that would revise EPA’s 2006 rule on protections for subjects in human research involving pesticides. 75 Fed. Reg. 62738 (found online). EPA announced on June 18, 2010, that it settled a lawsuit over its 2006 final rule. Under the settlement, EPA agreed to propose amendments to the rule...