February 22, 2022

Canadian Government Introduces Bill Intended to Modernize CEPA

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced on February 9, 2022, that the government introduced in the Senate the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act (Bill S-5), intended to modernize the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act (FDA). The bill was initially introduced in the 43rd Parliament in April 2021 as Bill C-28, but it was not considered due to the federal election...
February 17, 2022

Toxics and Human Rights — A Conversation with Baskut Tuncak, Director of TURI

Download Transcript This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Baskut Tuncak, newly named Director, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. Baskut is a lawyer and former research chemist with a truly distinguished and fascinating career in a diverse range of public and private sector roles in toxics issues. Baskut most recently served as the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights. In our conversation, Baskut...
February 16, 2022

Lynn L. Bergeson and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Quoted by Inside TSCA in “Industry Sees NAMs Aiding New Chemical Reviews, But Laments PPE Delays”

On February 15, 2022, Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, B&C, were quoted by Inside TSCA regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) application of new approach methods (NAMs) and category-based analyses for new-chemical reviews.  An industry attorney says EPA’s application of new approach methods (NAMs) and category-based analyses for...
February 3, 2022

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s 2022 Forecast

Download transcript. This week I was thrilled to sit down with James V. Aidala, B&C’s Senior Government Affairs Consultant, and Dr. Richard E. Engler, B&C’s and The Acta Group’s (our consulting affiliate) Director of Chemistry, to discuss what to expect in 2022 with regard to industrial and agricultural chemical regulation. As our listeners know, each year we publish a Forecast, a written summary of our best professional judgment as to the trends and key developments we...
February 2, 2022

European Union Opens Consultation on Changes to EU REACH

On January 20, 2022, the European Commission (EC) launched a public consultation seeking comment on a proposed revision of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation (No. 1907/2006). The consultation is the most extensive to date; it covers many elements of the legislation and, once changes are implemented, will have a significant impact on industry for the future. The consultation topics include: Revision of the registration requirements,...
February 2, 2022

“What to Expect in Chemicals in 2022” Webinar Recording Available Now

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s (B&C®) January 26, 2022, webinar “What to Expect in Chemicals in 2022” is now available for on-demand viewing at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/864194569862780944. During the 1-hour webinar, Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, B&C; Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, B&C; and James V. Aidala, Senior Government Affairs Consultant, B&C offered their best-informed judgment as to the trends and key developments...
January 27, 2022

FDA Proposes Changes to FCN Program

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed rule on January 26, 2022, to amend procedures for determining when a food contact substance notification (FCN) is no longer effective. 87 Fed. Reg. 3949. FDA states that the proposed rule would allow industry and FDA more flexibility in responding to new information on the safety and use of food contact substances. The amendments aim to create administration mechanisms to improve the program’s overall efficiency. Comments are...
January 26, 2022

What to Expect in Chemicals in 2022, January 26, 2022, 12:00 p.m. EST, via webinar

2022 will bring competing priorities for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for which companies should now prepare. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to present “What to Expect in Chemicals in 2022,” a webinar offering our best informed judgment as to the trends and key developments B&C’s legal, scientific, and regulatory professionals expect to see in 2022. These include consequential policy shifts reflecting the Biden Administration’s “all of...
January 25, 2022

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Isn’t It Ironic?,“American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) Blog, January 25, 2022.

The Biden Administration’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is laser focused on achieving several “whole-of-government” priorities: addressing climate change, identifying and giving environmental justice greater consideration in decision-making, and following the science wherever it may lead. Knowing and respecting leadership in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) tasked with achieving these laudable yet daunting objectives, there is no question the...
January 24, 2022

EPA Requests Comment on Draft TSCA Screening Methodology to Evaluate Chemical Exposures and Risks to Fenceline Communities

On January 21, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and solicited public comments on the “Draft TSCA Screening Level Approach for Assessing Ambient Air and Water Exposures to Fenceline Communities Version 1.0” (screening level methodology). 87 Fed. Reg. 3294. EPA will use the screening level methodology to evaluate potential chemical exposures and associated potential risks to fenceline communities in its Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)...