February 23, 2009
Memorandum – ECHA Publishes First Public Consultation on Harmonized Classification and Labeling
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January 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Chemical Regulation: Preparing to Address the Challenges Ahead,” Environmental Law Reporter, January 2009.
The environment has enjoyed unprecedented attention as a presidential campaign issue. While climate change, energy, and resource issues dominate, chemical regulation reform is plainly a topic gathering steam. As we approach a new year, a new Administration, and a new Congress, there is much to consider. Issues pertinent to chemical management are complicated, the rhetoric is strident, and areas on which stakeholders agree appear to be few and far between. This Article offers a few thoughts on...
January 1, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Legislators Set Agenda for Change,” Chemical Processing, January 2009.
Regulations are expected to target the chemical industry in 2009. The new Administration and Congress promise an eventful new year -- It may result in significant changes in direction for regulation of chemicals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Here’s a look at possible trends.
November 13, 2008
Ontario Proposes Regulations to Ban the Use and Sale of Pesticides for Cosmetic Purposes
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September 22, 2008
Lynn L. Bergeson and Michael F. Cole, “Food and Drug Administration’s Regulation of Nanotechnology,” Daily Environment Report, Sep. 22, 2008.
The Food and Drug Administration is considering further implementation of the recommendations made by its Nanotechnology Task Force in July 2007. The authors of this article note that nanotechnology will be a fact of life for FDA-regulated products for years to come. They say nanotechnology is an important issue, but only one among many that FDA must address, and FDA’s limited resources must be allocated sensibly. The authors suggest FDA build on existing databases and correlate the...
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approach to nanotechnology is the subject of intense interest for at least three reasons. First, many promising and visible applications of nano-technology include cosmetics, sunscreens, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and medical devices. These products are subject to FDA jurisdiction under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Second, FDA faces unique challenges in regulating products of nanotechnology be-cause of the...
July 1, 2008
Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Seeks Big Help with Nanomaterials Data,” Chemical Processing, October 2008.
The nominal deadline to submit basic information on nanoscale materials under the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was July 28. While the deadline has passed, EPA is encouraging entities to submit information on an ongoing basis. The program objectives and how EPA will use the information to assess additional regulatory steps applicable to nanoscale materials deserve some attention.
There is an Alice-in-Wonderland awe associated with nanotechnology. While the technology is both exciting and hopeful for many good reasons, for businesses, and the lawyers who counsel them, the lack of certainty in areas involving potential risk is unsettling. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is only now beginning to think through how best to apply the authority it has under the traditional environmental statutes, and to adopt regulatory programs and policies to address the...