According to a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication on December 23, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing several direct final significant new use rules (SNUR) promulgated on October 27, 2014, including one for functionalized carbon nanotubes (generic) (PMN No. P-13-793). EPA states that it received notice of intent to submit adverse comments on the direct final SNURs. EPA intends to publish proposed SNURs for the chemical substances in the notice.
December 19, 2014
CFS Files Suit to Compel EPA to Respond to 2008 Petition
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) filed suit on December 16, 2014, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its failure to regulate novel nanomaterial pesticides. CFS states in its press release that in 2008, it filed a legal petition requesting that EPA regulate nanosilver products as pesticides. EPA opened a public comment period on November 19, 2008, in response to the petition, but according to CFS, “nearly six...
December 12, 2014
EU Requirement to List Engineered Nanomaterials in Food Labeling Will Take Effect December 13
The European Commission (EC) issued a December 11, 2014, press release concerning European Union (EU) food labeling requirements that will take effect December 13, 2014. The European Parliament and the Council adopted the requirements in 2011. The requirements are intended to ensure that consumers receive clearer, more comprehensive, and accurate information on food content, and help them make informed choices about what they eat. Under the requirements, all ingredients present in the...
December 10, 2014
EU-U.S. Joint NanoEHS Workshop Will Be Held in March 2015 in Italy
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) announced on December 5, 2014, that, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC), it will hold the 2015 “EU-U.S.: Bridging NanoEHS Research Efforts” joint workshop on March 12-13, 2015, in Venice, Italy. According to NNCO, the workshop will bring together the U.S.-European Union (EU) Communities of Research (COR), which serve as a platform for U.S. and EU scientists to share information on nano...
December 5, 2014
EPA Fall 2014 Regulatory Agenda Includes Item Concerning TSCA Section 8(a) Rule for Nanoscale Materials
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fall 2014 Regulatory Agenda, which was posted on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) website on November 21, 2014, includes an item concerning Section 8(a) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting and recordkeeping requirements for chemical substances when manufactured or processed as nanoscale materials. According to the item, the proposed rule would require that persons who manufacture these nanoscale materials notify EPA of...
On November 24, 2014, the European Parliament (EP) Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) considered draft legislation concerning novel foods. The Committee amended the draft legislation, proposing a moratorium on the use of nanomaterials in food based on the precautionary principle. The Committee approved the amended draft legislation by a vote of 57-4, with two abstentions. EP Member James Nicholson (ECR, UK), who is steering the legislation through...
November 25, 2014
USDA Announces Release of Report Charting Path to Commercialization of Cellulosic Nanomaterials
On November 24, 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released a report that details the pathway to commercializing affordable, renewable, and biodegradable cellulose nanomaterials from trees. The report, entitled Cellulose Nanomaterials — A Path Towards Commercialization, is the result of a May 2014 workshop that brought together a wide range of experts from industry, academia, and government to ensure that commercialization...
November 24, 2014
European Companies Appeal ECHA Titanium Dioxide Decision
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published on November 3, 2014, an announcement of appeal of a June 17, 2014, contested decision following a compliance check of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) registration submitted by Tioxide Europe Limited for titanium dioxide. In the contested decision, ECHA requested Tioxide Europe Limited submit the following information: name or other identifier of the substance; composition of the substance; and...
November 20, 2014
France Posts Report on Nanomaterials Reported as of June 2014
The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, and Energy published a report, available only in French, concerning the second round of mandatory reporting of nanomaterials. Under Decree No. 2012-232, companies that manufacture, import, and/or distribute a “substance with nanoparticle status” in an amount of at least 100 grams per year must submit an annual report with substance identity, quantity, and use information. According to the report, 10,417 declarations were submitted by...
The European Parliament (EP) Committee on Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) has posted a study entitled ENVI Relevant Legislative Areas of the EU-US Trade and Investment Partnership Negotiations (TTIP). The study analyzes the main differences between European Union (EU) and U.S. legislation in eight areas: human medicines and medical devices; cosmetics; food and nutrition; sanitary and phyto-sanitary; nanomaterials; cloning; raw materials and energy; and motor...