March 20, 2019

WEBINAR — Prop 65: Exposure Assessments and Compliance Implications, March 20, 2019, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to have presented the complimentary webinar “Prop 65: Exposure Assessments and Compliance Implications.” The webinar discussed legal, scientific, and practical considerations for companies to evaluate before deciding to conduct and rely upon exposure assessments determinations that Prop 65 warning requirements do not apply.  The webinar consisted of 45 minutes of presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A...
March 19, 2019

EPA Releases New Tools to Help Companies Meet July 1 Mercury Reporting Requirements

On March 18, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new tools intended to help companies, organizations, and individuals fulfill their reporting requirements under the mercury reporting requirements rule. Those required to report under the mercury rule can now do so online through the Mercury Electronic Reporting (MER) application accessed through EPA’s Central Data Exchange (CDX). EPA states that it designed this reporting tool “to be user-friendly, with drop-down...
March 14, 2019

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on “Mismanaging Chemical Risks:  EPA’s Failure to Protect Workers”

On March 13, 2019, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing on “Mismanaging Chemical Risks:  EPA’s Failure to Protect Workers.”  The hearing examined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) assessment and management of risks to workers from toxic chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and other laws.  The Subcommittee focused on EPA’s implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for...
March 14, 2019

Trade Roundtable with Daniella Taveau and Daniel R. Pearson

This week, we offer something a little different. My colleague Christopher Bryant, a senior regulatory consultant here at the firm, invited Daniella Taveau and Daniel Pearson into our studio to sit down and talk about trade issues. As you will hear, their conversation ranged far and wide, hitting upon all aspects of the trade discussion which might be relevant to anyone working in the chemical manufacturing space. Listeners will hear about developing a historical context in...
March 14, 2019

Bloomberg Environment Includes Quotes from James V. Aidala in “EPA Budget Calls for Speedier Pesticide Reviews”

On March 11, 2019, Bloomberg Environment featured comments by James V. Aidala, Senior Government Affairs Consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), regarding a plan for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cut two months off the time it takes to review pesticide registrations. One chemical-industry consultant says the EPA’s ability to shave 60 days from its reviews depends on the kind of registration. “You’re not going to cut two months from a...
March 14, 2019

Cheryl B. Cleveland, Carrie R. Fleming, Jason E. Johnston, Angela S. Klemens, and Bruce M. Young, “Benchmarking the Current Codex Alimentarius International Estimated Short-Term Intake Equations and the Proposed New Equations,” Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, March 14, 2019.

The International Estimated Short-Term Intake IESTI equations are used during the establishment of Codex Maximum Residue Limits. A recent proposal to revise the equations sparked international debate regarding selection of residue inputs and the appropriate level of consumer protection. The 49th Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues meeting recommended benchmarking the IESTI equations against distributions of actual exposures. Using publicly available data and models, this work compares dietary...
March 11, 2019

HazMat Management Republishes B&C’s Article “PHMSA Study Will Assess Aligning U.S. and International Regulations for Aerosol Containers”

On March 11, 2019, the HazMat Management magazine republished Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s (B&C®) article “PHMSA Study Will Assess Aligning U.S. and International Regulations for Aerosol Containers.” HazMat Management magazine has covered Canadian environmental health and safety compliance issues for over 17 years. The full article on the HazMat Management page is now available online....
March 11, 2019

Lynn L. Bergeson and Karin F. Baron, “Expert Focus: A Glimpse at US OSHA’s Updated Hazard Communication Standard,” Chemical Watch, March 11, 2019.

The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is, by its very nature, perennially a work in progress. The US is committed to global harmonisation in classifying chemical hazards, and the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha) 2012 incorporation of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals into the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) was a big step forward in achieving global harmonisation. The road is long, however, and...
March 8, 2019

EPA’s Process for Assessing and Controlling Toxic Chemicals Remains on GAO’s High-Risk List

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released on March 6, 2019, a report entitled High-Risk Series: Substantial Efforts Needed to Achieve Greater Progress on High-Risk Areas. GAO’s high-risk program identifies government operations with vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or in need of transformation to address economy, efficiency, or effectiveness challenges. GAO’s report describes the status of high-risk areas and outlines actions necessary to assure...