On September 1, 2009, the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced proposed revisions to the Biocidal Product Regulations 2001, which implement the European Union’s Biocidal Products Directive 98/8/EC concerning the harmonization of the European market for biocidal products. The revisions would keep biocides on the market after May 14, 2010; update references in the 2001 regulations; and adjust the 2001 regulations. According to HSE, the proposed revisions do...
Today the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published Annex XV dossiers for the identification of 15 chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHC) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. The substances were proposed by European Union member states and the European Commission, and are identified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR), or persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT). ECHA asks that...
September 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Green Nanotechnology: Straddling Promise and Uncertainty,” Natural Resources & Environment, Fall, 2009.
This article describes green nanotechnology and discusses the reasons why traditional chemicals-assessment and management approaches may not be adequate in all cases in the near term when applied to nanomaterials. It outlines the reasons why green nanotechnology may serve as an alternative approach to chemicals assessment when applied to nanomaterials and suggests some measures to advance the goals of green nanotechnology....
September 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Conquering Heroic Challenges: A Look at Hot Legal and Regulatory Issues You Need to Know,” NACD Chemical Distributor, September, 2009.
If the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) had to select a song today that best reflects a typical member’s profile, it would have to be “It’s Not Easy To Be Me”. Challenged commercially by the credit crunch, escalating energy, labor, and raw material costs, squeezed by market pressures spawned by a badly damaged economy, and reeling from legal and regulatory challenges that are mushrooming exponentially, NACD members really do need red capes emblazoned with...
September 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Washington: Marketing Green,” Manufacturing Today, September 2009.
The growth in green marketing is getting a lot of attention these days, especially from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal agency tasked with preventing unfair and deceptive trade practices. Mindful of potential false and misleading advertising, FTC has been revising its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, known as the “Green Guides.”...
July 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “New on the Horizon: Nanotechnology,” The John Liner Review, Summer 2009.
Managing any business is tough. Managing a nanotechnology (nanotech) business is tougher than most. This article briefly discusses this new and rapidly expanding field of applied science, outlines key risk management issues that companies engaged in the manufacture of nanoscale materials and nanotechnology-enabled products confront, and reviews existing and proposed governance and risk management mechanisms intended to address potential nanotechnology risks....
July 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Safety Comes First for Nanotechnology,” Chemical Processing, July 2009.
Earlier this year, the International Council on Nanotechnology (ICON), Houston, launched the GoodNanoGuide, which is available online. To cater to all audiences, the guide provides basic, intermediate and advanced options to choose from to contribute to or search within the online forum. This innovative approach sets a new standard for creative, interactive, Internet-based product stewardship tools. This column explains why you may want to take a look at the GoodNanoGuide and consider the...