On April 4, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the following management changes in its Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT): Maria Doa, Ph.D., Director of the Chemical Control Division (CCD) at OPPT since 2011, will move to the Office of Research and Development’s (ORD) Office of Science Policy. Prior to leading CCD, Dr. Doa was director of the National Program Chemicals Division (NPCD). Lynn Vendinello, Deputy Division Director of the CCD since...
Category: General
On March 28, 2018, the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, issued its Statement of Decision (Phase II) (Defendants’ Alternative Significant Risk Level (ASRL) Affirmative Defense) that found that the defendants failed to meet their burden of proof on their ASRL affirmative defense. Council for Education and Research on Toxics (CERT) v. Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks), No. BC435759 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed April 13, 2010). CERT’s (plaintiff)...
On March 26, 2018, the Swedish National Platform for Nanosafety (SweNanoSafe) launched a new website intended to facilitate communication and knowledge exchange on the safety aspects of nanomaterials. According to the press release, the website is targeted toward regulators, scientists, industry, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders interested in nanotechnology. The website provides information on how nanomaterials are regulated in various areas,...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is seeking a controller to join our law firm and affiliated consulting and consortia management firms with offices in the U.S. and UK. This position will be based in our Washington, D.C. location. Applicants must be Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and be experienced with law firm financial management. This position will be responsible for financial oversight firm-wide, annual budgets, and management of day-to-day accounting and finance...
TSCA/FIFRA/TRI EPA Issues Draft Guidance On Expanded Access To Confidential Business Information: On March 16, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released three draft guidance documents for public comment clarifying the circumstances under which EPA may disclose Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) confidential business information (CBI) with an expanded set of people. 83 Fed. Reg. 17748. Amended TSCA Section 14(d) expanded the categories of people to whom EPA may disclose...
March 30, 2018
Neste Delivers First Batch Of Renewable Propane
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 19, 2018, Neste, a member of the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), announced the delivery of its first batch of 100 percent renewable propane to SHV Energy. Neste is operating the world’s first large-scale renewable production facility in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The new facility, that primarily produces Neste MY Renewable Diesel, purifies and separates renewable propane from the sidestream gases. The refinery...
March 29, 2018
EC Ombudsman Issues Recommendation in Case Regarding Lack of Access to Catalog of Nanomaterials Used in Cosmetics
On March 13, 2018, the European Commission (EC) Ombudsman issued its recommendation in a case concerning the EC’s refusal to grant access to its catalog of nanomaterials used in cosmetics, as well as to related notification from cosmetics manufacturers. As reported in our August 8, 2017, blog item, ClientEarth announced on July 31, 2017, that it filed a complaint with the Ombudsman about the EC’s “unlawful handling of a long-delayed list of nano-chemicals in...
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published a March 23, 2018, report entitled Evaluation of in vitro methods for human hazard assessment applied in the OECD Testing Programme for the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials.
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is seeking a manager to join our consortia management firm B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM). This position will be based in our Washington, D.C. location, although telework arrangements may be considered for the right candidate in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The successful candidate will report to BCCM’s Vice President, and will provide administrative, financial, communication, research, and advocacy support to assigned...
Chemical Watch presented “AsiaHub Summit USA 2018,” bringing together experts on China, Taiwan, South Korea, Thialand, and Vietnam to provide updates on recent regulatory developments. Brian Xu, M.D., Ph.D., DABT®, toxicologist with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), presented “Forecast of China, USA, and EU Chemical Regulation in 2018.”
March 26, 2018
Australia Begins Public Consultation on Draft Documents to Implement New Industrial Chemicals Scheme
The Australian government is reforming the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) to make regulatory effort more proportionate to risk; promote safer innovation by encouraging the introduction of lower risk chemicals; and continue to protect workers, the public, and the environment from any harmful effects of industrial chemicals. NICNAS has begun a public consultation on the following draft documents that, together with the Industrial...
March 23, 2018
EPA, OSHA, DHS Agree to Create New Protocols Requiring Notification And Coordination With First Responders
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) on March 20, 2018, announced that, after his intervention, representatives from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are working to create new protocols for communicating and training with local governments and first responders. OSHA, EPA and DHS will convene the Chemical Facility Security and Safety Working...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On March 12, 2018, Valtra, a leading tractor manufacturer in the Nordic countries, announced that Neste MY Renewable Diesel would be used as the start-up fuel for all new tractors. All new Valtra tractors will be delivered to customers with fuel that is produced from 100 percent renewable waste and residues and produces up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil diesel fuel. Furthermore, Neste MY will be used to fuel the forklifts...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is seeking a bookkeeper to join our law firm and affiliated consulting and consortia management firms with offices in the U.S. and UK. This position will be based in our Washington, D.C. location. Candidate will be responsible for daily activities of firm financial operations, including client billing, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Applicants must have prior law firm or professional services firm accounting experience....
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is seeking a bookkeeper to join our law firm and affiliated consulting and consortia management firms with offices in the U.S. and UK. This position will be based in our Washington, D.C. location. Candidate will be responsible for daily activities of firm financial operations, including client billing, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Applicants must have prior law firm or professional services firm accounting experience....
March 21, 2018
EC Requests Scientific Opinion on Two Coatings for Titanium Dioxide (Nano Form) as a UV-Filter in Dermally Applied Cosmetic Products
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) announced on March 20, 2018, that the European Commission (EC) requested a scientific opinion on two coatings for titanium dioxide (nano form) (methicone and perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane) as an ultraviolet (UV)-filter in dermally applied cosmetic products. In its July 2013 safety evaluation of titanium dioxide (nano), SCCS listed substances considered safe for use as coatings for titanium dioxide (nano). SCCS stated that...
A petition filed under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was one of the first actions reviewed by a federal district court since TSCA was substantially rewritten in June 2016.The rulings described below pose interesting and potentially formidable challenges for TSCA stakeholders.
The European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) announced on March 20, 2018, that its preliminary opinion on colloidal silver (nano) is available for comment. According to the preliminary opinion, the EC received 63 notifications of cosmetic products containing colloidal silver in nano form. According to the applicants, the ingredient is used in nano uncoated form both in leave-on and rinse-off oral cosmetics products, including toothpastes and...
March 19, 2018
New ECHA Website Includes Information on Nanomaterials
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on March 15, 2018, a new website, “Chemicals in our life.” The website is available in 23 European Union (EU) languages and “provides useful information on the benefits and risks of using chemicals and explains how the EU legislation on chemicals protects us.” In its press release, ECHA notes that the website allows users to explore parts of the EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON). Several articles on nanomaterials...
The South Korean Ministry of Environment (MOE) announced on March 14, 2018, that amendments to the Act for the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH) will be promulgated on March 20, 2018, and be enforced beginning January 1, 2019. As reported in our January 4, 2018, “Predictions and Outlook for U.S. Federal and International Chemical Regulatory Policy 2018,” MOE proposed changes at the end of 2016 that would drastically alter the current legislation and...