All Knowledge & Insights By Date

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released and requested comment on a draft document titled, “A Framework for Categorizing the Relative Vulnerability of Threatened and Endangered Species to Climate Change” (EPA/600/R-09/011).  74 Fed. Reg. 61671.  The document was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment within EPA’s Office of Research and Development.  The draft document describes an evaluative framework to categorize the relative...

We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson is included on the list of top environmental lawyers in the feature on top lawyers in the December 2009 issue of Washingtonian . Washingtonian compiled its list of top lawyers relying heavily on peer recommendations, asking attorneys who was setting the standard in his or her field. Washingtonian’s list of the 800 top lawyers in 29 legal specialties represents the top one percent of lawyers in D.C.

On November 11, 2009, the European Commission (EC) began a public consultation to receive input from all people and organizations involved or interested in nanosciences and nanotechnologies research in Europe, including researchers, policy makers, industry, media, and civil society organizations. The EC adopted on February 7, 2008, a Recommendation for a Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies Research, followed on September 26, 2008, by Council Conclusions on...

We are pleased to announce that Joseph E. Plamondon, Ph.D., who works for both Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) and The Acta Group, L.L.C., a B&C consulting affiliate, will be speaking at the Sixth International Fresenius Chemicals Policy Conference: REACH in Practice, on December 7-8, 2009, in Cologne, Germany. On December 8, 2009, Dr. Plamondon will provide an update on the current status of reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and address chemical nomenclature under...

On September 16, 2009, Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW), with and relying on the advice and assistance of The Acta Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU), an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., submitted the first appeal against a decision of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA or the Agency) with the ECHA Board of Appeal, on behalf of the registrant. On the basis of this submission, on October 14, 2009, the Executive Director of ECHA rectified the contested decision pursuant to Article 93(1) of the...

On September 16, 2009, Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW), with and relying on the advice and assistance of The Acta Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU), an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., submitted the first appeal against a decision of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA or the Agency) with the ECHA Board of Appeal, on behalf of the registrant. On the basis of this submission, on October 14, 2009, the Executive Director of ECHA rectified the contested decision pursuant to Article 93(1) of the...

The November 17, 2009, issue of BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding Australia's proposed strategy to regulate new nanoscale chemicals and existing chemicals produced at the nanoscale. According to Bergeson, the proposal is "refreshingly thorough and comprehensive" and could serve as a model for other governments.

On November 9, 2009, Australia announced the availability of a public discussion paper proposing to strengthen regulation of industrial nanomaterials used in Australia. The National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) developed the proposal in conjunction with its Nanotechnology Advisory Group, which includes representatives from industry, the community, and research sectors. Major regulatory reforms would include:  refinement of pre-market assessment categories...

On November 10, 2009, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) released findNano, an application for Apple’s iPhone and iPod Touch that is intended to let users determine whether consumer products are nanotechnology-enabled. According to PEN, the application allows users to browse an inventory of more than 1,000 nanotechnology-enabled consumer products, from sporting goods to food products and electronics to toys, using the iPhone and iPod Touch.  Using the built-in camera, iPhone...

Today the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the online availability of a webinar regarding preparing and submitting a registration dossier.  ECHA held the webinar on November 4, 2009, for lead registrants.  The objective of the webinar was to provide lead registrants with an understanding of the main technical concepts required to be able to prepare and submit a registration dossier.  ECHA covered the following topics:  exporting information as an IUCLID 5...

On November 6, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed significant new use rules (SNUR) under Section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for two chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMN). EPA identified the substances generically as multi-walled carbon nanotubes and single-walled carbon nanotubes. According to the notice, these substances are subject to TSCA Section 5(e) consent orders issued by EPA. The consent orders...

Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of a Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice entitled "Pesticide Drift Labeling" (2009-X) and a draft explanatory document entitled "Pesticide Drift Labeling Interpretation."  In a separate Federal Register notice, EPA announced that, on October 13, 2009, Earthjustice and Farmworker Justice, on behalf of several other organizations, filed a petition requesting that EPA "systematically evaluate children's...

Today the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the availability of its Guidance in a Nutshell:  Chemical Safety Assessment, which is intended to assist industry in understanding the general provisions for conducting a Chemical Safety Assessment (CSA).  ECHA states that the Guidance is aimed at non-experts who would like to understand the legal requirements under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation regarding substance...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will stream its November 3-6, 2009, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) meeting on the Internet. EPA has asked the SAP “to consider and review a set of scientific issues related to the assessment of hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products.” According to EPA, companies with an interest in marketing products that...

TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Issues Notice For External Peer Review Draft Of Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEF) For Dioxin And Dioxin-Like Compounds -- On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to convene an independent panel of experts to organize and conduct an external peer review meeting to review the draft document titled “Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to announce that James V. Aidala will be speaking at the November 3-4, 2009, Pesticide Regulation Conference in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference will feature keynote talks by Steve Owens, the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, and Debbie Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs, on their priorities for pesticide regulation under the Obama...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to announce that James V. Aidala will be speaking at the November 3-4, 2009, Pesticide Regulation Conference in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference will feature keynote talks by Steve Owens, the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, and Debbie Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs, on their priorities for pesticide regulation under the Obama...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted two prepublication Federal Register notices concerning its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP).  In the first notice, EPA announces the EDSP Tier 1 battery of assays and availability of test guidelines for conducting the assays included in the battery.  In the second notice, EPA announces the issuance of the initial EDSP screening orders and the schedule of issuance.  EPA expects both notices to be...

At yesterday’s Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee meeting, Steven Bradbury, Deputy Office Director for Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, announced that Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator of the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, would be signing later in the day the Federal Register notice concerning the schedule for sending out test orders for the final list of chemicals for initial Tier 1 Screening...

In an October 9, 2009, speech at the stakeholder conference concerning nanomaterials on the market, Stavros Dimas, European Commissioner for the Environment, stated that the European Commission (EC) “will review all relevant legislation within two years to ensure safety for all applications of nanomaterials in products with potential health, environmental, or safety impacts over their life cycle.” The EC’s review is in response to an April 24, 2009, resolution adopted...