April 3, 2024

GAO Will Review EPA’s Practices for Managing and Assessing the Performance of Its New Chemicals Review Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided notice of disclosure on April 2, 2024, to all potentially affected businesses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that submitted information to EPA pursuant to TSCA Section 5 that it will disclose information to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). 89 Fed. Reg 22713. According to the notice, GAO is initiating a review of EPA’s practices for managing and assessing the performance of EPA’s New Chemicals Review...
March 28, 2024

Minnesota Publishes New Information Concerning PFAS in Products

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced on March 26, 2024, that it has published new information concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products. This information includes: Recommendations on how to dispose of products that may contain PFAS when they reach the end of their useful life. MPCA states that a business may be subject to liability under the Minnesota Environmental Response and Liability Act (MERLA) if it releases PFAS from products containing PFAS. To...
March 21, 2024

EPA Seeks Comment on Proposed Settlement Agreement to Conclude a TSCA Rulemaking Regulating Lead Wheel Weights

On March 13, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published notice of a proposed settlement agreement to address a petition for writ of mandamus filed by the Ecology Center, the Center for Environmental Health, United Parents Against Lead & Other Environmental Hazards, and the Sierra Club in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ecology Center v. EPA, No. 23-70158 (9th Cir.)). 89 Fed. Reg. 18408. The petitioners filed a petition for writ of mandamus on...
March 19, 2024

Save the Date for “TSCA Reform – 8 Years Later” on June 26, 2024

SAVE THE DATETSCA Reform – 8 Years LaterJune 26, 2024, 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (EDT)George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, D.C., and via livestream Save the date to join Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health for a day-long conference reflecting on the challenges and accomplishments since the implementation of the 2016 Lautenberg...
March 15, 2024

Senate Committee Will Hold Hearing on Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on March 20, 2024, on “Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances.” The scheduled witnesses include: Kate R. Bowers, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, Congressional Research Service; The Honorable James Kenney, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Environment; Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group; Robert Fox, Partner, Manko Gold Katcher Fox, Limited Liability...
March 12, 2024

EPA Announces Settlement with Haifa North America to Resolve Alleged TSCA Reporting Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 6, 2024, a settlement requiring Haifa North America, Inc. (Haifa) to pay a civil penalty of $664,267 “for violations of chemical data reporting regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).” EPA states that it alleged that Haifa failed to submit a data report required under TSCA for 32 chemical substances that Haifa had imported between 2016 and 2019. According to EPA, Haifa imports “various chemicals for...
March 11, 2024

EPA Seeks Nominations for Ad Hoc Reviewers to Assist SACC with Peer Reviewing DIDP and DINP

On February 29, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested public nominations of scientific and technical experts for service as ad hoc reviewers assisting the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) with the peer review of the Agency’s evaluation of the risks from di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) being conducted to inform risk management decisions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 89 Fed. Reg. 14836. EPA states that it is...
March 4, 2024

FDA Issues Update on Post-Market Assessments of Chemicals in the Food Supply

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Constituent Update on March 4, 2024, that updates its “List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review.” FDA states that the intent of this update is “…to provide more insight on the status of the FDA’s post-market assessments of chemicals in the food supply.” The information posted today includes many chemicals that FDA has been actively engaged in reviewing for the past several years. The Update also explains the...
March 4, 2024

EPA Accepting Comments on Candidates for Peer Review of Formaldehyde

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on February 28, 2024, that it is seeking public comment on the candidates under consideration for selection as ad hoc peer reviewers to assist the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) with its peer review of the Agency’s evaluation of the risks from formaldehyde being conducted to inform risk management decisions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 89 Fed. Reg. 14648. The SACC peer review will take place during a...
March 1, 2024

EPA Announces Pollution Prevention in Action: New Webinar Series with OCSPP

On March 1, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) announced a new webinar series, “Pollution Prevention in Action.” On the second Wednesday of the month, Jennie Romer, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention, will host webinars featuring businesses, Pollution Prevention grantees, and other experts about innovations and successes in implementing source reduction strategies to advance...