As you may know, twice each year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes a detailed listing of all matters on which it is working. The document is referred to as the Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, and is published each spring and fall. The most recent spring issue was published on May 11, 2009.
June 8, 2009
Memorandum – Implementation Update of Global Harmonized Systems for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
060809-fedreg-1Download
Congress is currently focusing on a key piece of legislation to reauthorize the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS), set to expire on October 4. This may lead to measures that are more far reaching and have a more significant impact upon the chemical industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on May 21, 2009, that it has reformed the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), again. According to EPA, the revisions are intended to “revitalize the program and ensure its scientific quality, integrity, transparency and timeliness.” In a May 21, 2009, memorandum, Administrator Jackson states that recent changes, including procedures formalized in an April 21, 2008, memorandum, “have reduced the transparency, timeliness, and...
April 21, 2009
Lynn L. Bergeson, “What’s New in Nanotechnology Regulations,” Manufacturing Today, Spring 2009.
Over the last several months, there have been a number of significant nano regulatory developments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released on Jan. 12, 2009, its interim report on the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program (NMSP). On Jan. 22, 2009, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) issued a data call-in for certain nanoscale substances.
February 23, 2009
Memorandum – ECHA Publishes First Public Consultation on Harmonized Classification and Labeling
022309-intlDownload
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
111308-intlDownload
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...