On October 15, 2015, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Wilson Center) issued a report, "The DNA of the U.S. Regulatory System: Are We Getting It Right For Synthetic Biology?," authored by the legal experts, scientists, and policy specialists of B&C and released through the Wilson Center's Synthetic Biology Project. A panel discussion and live webcast, "Leveraging Synthetic Biology's Promise and Managing Potential Risk,"...
Category: General
On April 6, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed an important rule under Section 8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for certain chemical substances when manufactured (including imported) or processed at the nanoscale. This article from the Fall, 2015, issue of Environmental Quality Management assists stakeholders in the nanoscale chemical substance area who will be directly impacted by...
September 29, 2015
Algae Biomass Summit, September 29 – October 2, 2015, Washington, D.C.
The Algae Biomass Summit was the largest algae conference in the world. This is where leading producers of algae products went to network with industry suppliers and technology providers, where project developers conversed with utility executives, and where researchers and technology developers rubbed elbows with venture capitalists. Richard E. Engler participated on the panel discussion "Legal, Regulatory, and Political Considerations in Commercializing Algae...
September 28, 2015
Prop. 65 and Green Chemistry Annual Conferences, September 28 – 29, 2015, San Francisco, Californi
The Prop. 65 and Green Chemistry Annual Conferences, was presented by Prop. 65 Clearinghouse, featured sessions on California Safer Consumer Products, TSCA, Alternatives Assessments, Supply Chain considerations, and more with speakers from California and US Regulatory agencies. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. was a proud sponsor.
September 26, 2015
Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) Fall 2015 Meeting, September 26 – 30, 2015, Arlington, Virginia
The SCHC Fall 2015 Meeting included professional development courses, a board meeting open to all members, and the general meeting. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and the Acta Group were proud exhibitors.
September 25, 2015
NNI Announces Nanotechnology Signature Initiative Webinar Series, Opens Registration for Introduction to Nanoinformatics
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office will host a series of webinars from October to December 2015 sponsored by federal agencies participating in the Nanotechnology Knowledge Infrastructure and Nanotechnology for Sensors and Sensors for Nanotechnology Signature Initiatives. The webinar series will include an introduction to nanoinformatics, an overview of nanosensor technology and applications, a regulatory case study for the development of nanosensors, and an...
September 25, 2015
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
? ZeaChem, "ZeaChem And Pure Cultures Announce Product Development And Supply Memorandum Of Understanding" ? Babcock & Wilcox, "B&W Awarded Contracts Totaling More Than $190 Million To Build And Operate U.K. Biomass Plant" ? Cambrian News, "Farmers Get Chance To Turn Bracken Into Biofuel" ? Michigan State University, "Building A Biofuel-Boosting Swiss Army Knife" ? Washington State University, "Benefits Of Biofuels Byproducts Highlighted"
September 25, 2015
RFA Responds To Oregon’s Proposal To Use ILUC Emissions Under CFP
On September 15, 2015, Oregon's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) proposed using hypothetical indirect land use change (ILUC) emissions while calculating the carbon intensity of biofuels under the Clean Fuels Program (CFP). DEQ proposed the rule to update the Oregon Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy Transportation model (OR-GREET) to clarify elements before the CFP's first compliance year starting on January 1, 2016. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) released a...
September 25, 2015
Biofuel CEOs Send Letter To President Obama Over EPA RFS Proposal
On September 16, 2015, 23 biofuel executives sent a letter to President Obama regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volume requirement proposal. The revised RFS allows companies to challenge the distribution requirement of renewable fuel, potentially resulting in RFS requirements being waived on a year-to-year basis. The letter outlines the concern that the proposed RFS disincentivizes oil companies to blend renewable fuels into gasoline,...
September 24, 2015
WEBINAR – TSCA Reform: The Current State of Play, September 24, 2015
This webinar, TSCA Reform: The Current State of Play, featured Lynn L. Bergeson and hosted by Compliance & Risks, promised to bring you up to date on the very latest developments in the U.S. Congress and key regulatory developments and initiatives should TSCA reform fail to materialize. If Congress is unable to enact new TSCA measures, many question whether the law will be revised before the Presidential elections in 2016, which means TSCA reform would not occur until 2017 or...
September 23, 2015
FTC Green Guides: FTC Sends Warning Letters Concerning Environmental Certification Seals
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced in a September 14, 2015, press release, "FTC Sends Warning Letters about Green Certification Seals," that it sent warning letters to five providers of environmental certification seals and 32 businesses using those seals, "alerting them to the agency's concerns that the seals could be considered deceptive and may not comply with the FTC's environmental marketing guidelines." FTC states that environmental certification seals are intended to help...
September 23, 2015
Lynn L. Bergeson, “NSF Will Provide $81 Million to Support New NNCI,” Nanotechnology Now, September 23, 2015.
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) announced on September 17, 2015, that the National Science Foundation (NSF) will provide a total of $81 million over five years to support 16 sites and a coordinating office as part of a new National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI).
September 23, 2015
Lynn L. Bergeson, “Hazardous Waste Rules Get a Rethink,” Chemical Processing, September 23, 2015.
On August 31, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed an important rule under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) that would ease the standards for healthcare facilities that dispose of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals. The proposal is of interest to all participants in the pharmaceutical value chain, from manufacturers to health care providers to end users. This column explains why.
September 18, 2015
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
? Wall Street Journal, "Biofuels Try To Snap Out Of Dormant Phase" ? ActiveEnergy, "New Biomass For Energy 'AEG CoalSwitch' Joint Venture With Biomass Energy Enhancements LLC" ? Enerkem, "Enerkem Raises C$152.6 Million In Financings" ? DEINOVE, "DEINOVE And Tyton Bioenergy Systems Forge Partnership To Commercialize Unique Solutions In The Green Chemicals Sector"
September 18, 2015
EPA Inspector General Releases Report On Need For Better Data For PGCCA
On September 15, 2015, the EPA Inspector General (IG) released a report criticizing EPA's use of unverified pollution prevention data for the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award (PGCCA). The report, "EPA's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Program Lacks Adequate Support and Transparency and Should Be Assessed for Continuation," states that EPA does not verify the validity of the self-reported pollution prevention results of award applicants or differentiate...
September 15, 2015
EC Scientific Committee Will Consider Safety of Nano Titanium Dioxide in Sunscreens and Personal Care Spray Products
On September 14, 2015, the European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) posted a request from the EC for a scientific opinion on titanium dioxide (nano) as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products. In 2013, the SCCS issued an opinion on titanium dioxide (nano), and concluded that titanium dioxide (nano), at a concentration up to 25 percent, can be considered not to pose any risk of adverse effects in humans after application on...
On September 14, 2015, the European Commission (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) posted a request from the EC for a scientific opinion on titanium dioxide (nano) as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products.
September 11, 2015
EC Invites Scientists to Apply for Membership in SCCS and SCHEER
The European Commission (EC) invites scientists to apply for membership in its non-food scientific committees, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER). SCCS and SCHEER provide the EC with “high quality and independent risk assessment and scientific advice in the areas of public health, consumer safety and environmental risks.” SCCS provides opinions on questions concerning health and safety risks...
September 11, 2015
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
? Roundtable On Sustainable Biomaterials, "Project Solaris In South Africa Earns RSB Certification" ? Celtic Renewables, "Celtic Renewables Lands £11 Million Grant After Winning DfT Competition" ? Iowa State University, "Iowa State, Argo Genesis Chemical To Dedicate New, $5.3 Million Bio-Polymer Pilot Plant" ? Washington State University, "WSU Tri-Cities Prof Receives Grant To Study High-Energy Biofuels" ? Gevo, "Gevo Announces First Marina...