All Knowledge & Insights By Date

EPA Launches eDisclosure Portal: On December 9, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is modernizing implementation of its self-disclosure policies by creating a centralized web-based ''eDisclosure'' portal to receive and automatically process self-disclosed civil violations of environmental law. 80 Fed. Reg. 76476. Under the automated eDisclosure system, "large and small businesses will quickly be able to get some of their more routine types of disclosures...

The December 9, 2015, Daily Environment Report article “Evolving Chemical Issues Drive Change at Law Firms” included an interview with Lynn Bergeson and Heidi Lewis on how Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., has changed in the 10 years since REACH became law.  REACH became law in 2006 in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Since then, Bergeson & Campbell PC has seen “tremendous growth” said Heidi Brown Lewis, director of marketing for the firm. “We've...

On November 19, 2015, the USDA published Notice of the Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture (AC21) Meeting in the Federal Register. The meeting will review the purpose, history, operational process, and member responsibilities of the AC21; update committee members on relevant regulatory developments, initiatives, and USDA activities; and to outline new tasks for the committee to address. There will also be an opportunity for members of the public to make...

On December 1, 2015, the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) announced that it proposed to the government that those who report chemical products to the products register would, in addition to the information that is currently reported, also provide additional information regarding any nanomaterials contained in the product.  According to the English summary in KEMI’s report, the proposal covers nanomaterials that have been intentionally added to the product, regardless of concentration. ...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, peaceful, and safe New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients' behalf. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA Issues Final Rule Adding 1-Bromopropane To EPCRA Section 313 List: On November 23, 2015, the U.S....

Biotechnology is an area of growing domestic and international importance to the manufacturing sector, and this summer the federal government announced several important biotechnology initiatives of which stakeholders should be aware. This article from the Winter, 2015, issue of Environmental Quality Management explains each initiative, and outlines why stakeholders are encouraged to engage in each one.

A November 30, 2015 story in Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report on the federal approach to regulating bioengineered products and comments submitted by nearly a thousand organizations and individuals on the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology, featured commentary from B&C: Bergeson & Campbell PC, a law firm that represents companies working with emerging technologies, supported the efforts to update the framework but described structural...

B&C Managing Partner and Product Stewardship Society Board Member Lynn L. Bergeson’s presentation "Legal and Stewardship Issues Associated with EPDs and HPDs" was featured in the society’s Full Circle Blog:  “Regardless of what the law requires, disclosure is fast becoming a commercial imperative, especially for companies wanting to establish themselves as ‘green,’ said Lynn Bergeson, managing partner, Bergeson & Campbell, PC, during a session at...

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) announced on October 27, 2015, EWG VERIFIED™, a verification program intended “to give consumers peace of mind at point of sale as they try to avoid toxic and potentially harmful chemicals and contaminants commonly found in consumer goods.”  Under the program, products must follow the European Union’s (EU) labeling guidelines for nanomaterials used in cosmetics.  EWG VERIFIED™ items must be free of substances on EWG’s...

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ProSafe has launched an online Delphi Forum on whether risk management is on pace with innovation for nanomaterial uses.   ProSafe will use expert discussion between those working with manufacture and health and safety of specific nanomaterial uses to develop a white paper proposing a path forward for risk management policies for nanomaterial uses.  To join the Forum, follow the instructions below: Go to https://scipinion.com/; In the access code box for “ProSafe Delphi...

According to an item in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fall 2015 Regulatory Agenda, EPA intends to promulgate a final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) rule in October 2016 concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for certain chemical substances when they are manufactured or processed at the nanoscale.  EPA’s April 6, 2015, proposed rule includes one-time reporting for existing nanoscale materials and one-time reporting for new discrete...

According to an item in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Fall 2015 Regulatory Agenda, EPA intends to promulgate a final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) rule in October 2016 concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for certain chemical substances when they are manufactured or processed at the nanoscale.

? U.S. Energy Information Administration, "New Biofuels Eliminate Need For Blending With Petroleum Fuels" ? Innovia Films, "Bio Based Packaging Laminate Developed Using Matt NatureFlex™ Film" ? Joule, "Joule And Red Rock Biofuels Announce Intent To Merge, Creating An Industry-Leading Carbon-Neutral Fuel Production Platform" ? DuPont, "DuPont and Entomol Products LLC Sign License Agreement for Bio-Based Insect Repellent" ? Neste, "Neste And...

On November 17, 2015, Steven Cohen, the Director of Catalyst and Chemicals Technology at Elevance Renewable Sciences, presented a new line of high performance, biobased specialty chemicals and intermediates at the 6th Biobased Chemicals: Commercialization & Partnering Conference. The new product line, called Renewicals™, has a variety of market applications including surfactant, lubricant, consumer ingredient, engineering polymer, and coating. Elevance, a Biobased and Renewable...

On November 16, 2015, The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) of South Africa called for submissions of Statements of Interest focusing on the demonstration of 2nd and 3rd generation biofuel production technologies. TIA manages the Biofuels Technology Demonstration Programme (BTDP) on behalf of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and is looking to support South African advanced biofuel production technology. To submit a proposal, applicants must be South African citizens, be...