Category: General

December 28, 2022

EPA Finds Carbon Tetrachloride, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Poses an Unreasonable Risk to Human Health

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 27, 2022, the availability of the final revision to the risk determination for the carbon tetrachloride risk evaluation issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 87 Fed. Reg. 79303. EPA determined that carbon tetrachloride, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use (COU). EPA states that the revision to the risk...
December 22, 2022

Comments on FTC’s Green Guides Due February 23, 2023

On December 20, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requested public comment on its Guides for the Use of Environmental Claims (Green Guides). FTC intends the Green Guides to help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act. 87 Fed. Reg. 77766. FTC states in its December 14, 2022, news release that it seeks to update the Green Guides “based on increasing consumer interest in buying...
December 21, 2022

ANSES Applies Methodology to Assess Risks of Nanomaterials in Food to Titanium Dioxide

As reported in our October 19, 2021, blog item, in 2021, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) released a scientific guide to assess the risks posed by nanomaterials in food. On December 16, 2022, ANSES announced that the methodology has been “tested” on the food additive E171, titanium dioxide. ANSES states that the test has “confirmed the relevance of [its] methodology and the need for a nanospecific approach.” According to...
December 21, 2022

EPA Requests Nominations for Ad Hoc Reviewers to Assist SACC in Reviewing Phthalate Documents, Will Hold Meeting in May 2023

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 21, 2022, that it seeks public nominations of scientific and technical experts whom EPA can consider for service as ad hoc reviewers assisting the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) with the peer review of two draft documents entitled “Draft Proposed Principles of Cumulative Risk Assessment Under the Toxic Substances Control Act” and “Draft Proposed Approach for Cumulative Risk Assessment of...
December 20, 2022

Australia Publishes Additional Guidance for Assessment Certificate Applicants Introducing Nanoscale Chemicals

The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS) posted a news item on December 19, 2022, reminding assessment certificate applicants that extra information is required for chemicals at the nanoscale. AICIS has published extra guidance on the data concerning the nanoscale-specific physicochemical properties that must be provided. AICIS states that nanoscale means a particle size range of one to 100 nanometers (nm). An introduction at the nanoscale is a...
December 16, 2022

EPA Announces Updates to New Chemicals Review Program Web Page

On December 15, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a redesign and updates to the statistics web page for the New Chemicals Review Program. According to EPA, the update includes additional information and metrics on the Agency’s review of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), increasing transparency for the public, the regulated community, and other stakeholders. According to EPA, before TSCA was amended in 2016 by the...
December 16, 2022

FTC Seeks Public Comment on Potential Updates to the Green Guides, Will Begin 60-Day Comment Period in January 2023

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on December 14, 2022, that it is seeking public comment on potential updates and changes to the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides). FTC intends the Green Guides to help marketers avoid making environmental marketing claims that are unfair or deceptive under Section 5 of the FTC Act. FTC states that it seeks to update the Green Guides “based on increasing consumer interest in buying environmentally...
December 14, 2022

Register Now — Webinar: “Two Years Later: How Has the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Changed REACH and CLP Regulations?”

On October 14, 2020, the European Commission adopted the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The Strategy set into motion a series of remarkable actions by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) intended to transform the European Union (EU) into a sustainable and carbon neutral economy while improving protection of its people and the environment. The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP)...
December 14, 2022

Chemicals Management for Electronics, December 13-14, 2022, via webinar

Chemicals Management for Electronics, presented by Chemical Watch, was a two-day virtual conference offering the latest information and advice on chemicals management and restrictions in electronics.  Day one focused on regulatory updates and the latest on substances, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) while day two covered e-waste and eco-design, followed by a look at the circular economy and batteries. Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson &...
December 14, 2022

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Sticker Shock: TSCA Fees Could Soon Be a Lot More Expensive,” Chemical Processing, December 13, 2022.

On Nov. 16, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a supplemental proposal modifying its 2021 proposed rule that would amend the 2018 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) fees rule. The EPA’s assistant administrator warned us to be prepared for sticker shock. The proposed increases are significant. This article discusses what you need to know.