The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a conference call on February 24, 2020, from 12:30 to 1:00 p.m. (EST) to review certain provisions of the final rule on fees for the administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In light of the recent publication of the preliminary list of manufacturers/importers subject to risk evaluation fees, as reported in our January 29, 2020, blog item, EPA states that it will give a brief overview of the fees...
Category: General
On February 8, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the prepublication version of its long-anticipated fees rule under amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 26(b) entitled User Fees for the Administration of the Toxic Substances Control Act. EPA states that the proposed rule will set user fees applicable to any person required to submit information to EPA under TSCA Section 4 or a notice, including an exemption or other information, to be reviewed...
February 7, 2020
EC Requests Scientific Advice from SCCS on the Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics
The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) announced on February 6, 2020, that the European Commission (EC) has requested scientific advice on the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetics. The EC seeks advices on two questions: The EC requests that SCCS determine the nanomaterials, as published in the recent catalogue of nanomaterials of 2019, for which specific concerns can be identified and justified to establish a priority list of nanomaterials for risk assessment (Article...
The American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (ALI CLE) and Environmental Law Institute (ELI) presented the two-day Environmental Law 2020 course, covering the latest developments in natural resources, climate, chemical, and endangered species law, as well as what is to come from the Supreme Court and under the current Administration and Congress. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), was a proud sponsor. Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner,...
February 7, 2020
DOE EERE Looks To Fill Vacant Positions
By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 4, 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced that it is searching for professionals to fill vacant general engineer and physical scientist positions. Resumes can be submitted directly to EERE’s hiring staff with information on the position of interest and EERE office (Solar, Geothermal, Vehicles, and Buildings, among others). Should EERE be interested in a particular resume, DOE’s Human...
February 7, 2020
EPA Issues Final Rule On RFS Program Standards For 2020 And Biomass-Based Diesel Volume For 2021
By Lynn L. Bergeson On February 6, 2020, EPA issued its final rule setting 2020 renewable fuel percentage standards under its Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program. The final rule established the annual percentage standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel that apply to gasoline and diesel transportation fuel produced or imported in 2020. The volume requirements set are below the statutory volume targets. In addition to the 2020 annual...
February 7, 2020
EPA Pollution Prevention Grant Program Requests Applications
By Lynn L. Bergeson The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program has announced the availability of funds to provide technical assistance (e.g., information, training, tools) to businesses to encourage the development and implementation of source reduction practices. EPA states that source reduction practices can help businesses save money by reducing resource use, expenditures, waste, and liability costs, while at the same time reducing their...
February 6, 2020
Are You Potentially Responsible for TSCA Fees? EPA Issues Preliminary Lists of Companies Responsible for TSCA Risk Evaluation Fees
February 4, 2020
Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network Webinar on Insights from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Will Be Held February 5
On February 5, 2020, the Nanotechnology Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) will hold a webinar on insights from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EST). The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) notes that a key stop on the technology development pathway is protecting the underlying intellectual property. Entrepreneurs intending to commercialize an emerging technology, such as a nanomaterial or a nanomaterial-enabled product,...
February 3, 2020
EPA Pollution Prevention Grant Program Requests Applications
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program has announced the availability of funds to provide technical assistance (e.g., information, training, tools) to businesses to encourage the development and implementation of source reduction practices. EPA states that source reduction practices can help businesses save money by reducing resource use, expenditures, waste, and liability costs, while at the same time reducing their environmental...
February 3, 2020
EPA Seeks Participants for SBAR Panel on TSCA Reporting and Recordkeeping Rule for PFAS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on February 2, 2022, that it is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SER) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. The Panel will focus on EPA’s development of a rule that would require reporting and recordkeeping for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from certain persons who have manufactured (including imported) a PFAS in...
B&C Launches TSCA Tutor™ Online, On-Demand Training Courses: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to announce the release of the complete suite of TSCA Tutor™ regulatory training courses online and on-demand at www.TSCAtutor.com. Professionals seeking expert, efficient, essential training can preview and enroll in on-demand classes to complete at their own pace and timing. In addition to the newly released online e-learning courses, B&C’s TSCA Tutor™...
January 31, 2020
House Democrats Announce New Framework To Achieve Climate Resiliency
By Lynn L. Bergeson On January 29, 2020, Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) and other House Democrats unveiled a five-year, $760 billion investment framework to repair and upgrade the U.S. infrastructure to create jobs while reducing carbon pollution, improving safety, and supporting economic activity. Called the “Moving Forward Framework for the People,” the plan includes measures to increase climate resiliency and put the United States on a path toward zero carbon pollution from...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On January 24, 2020, as part of its sustainable transportation efforts, DOE announced a collaborative project with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) to encourage the development of advanced fuels and efficient technologies in motorsports. Focused on vehicles at the racetrack, the collaboration was formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that names the combined effort the Green Racing Program (GRP). GRP aims to emphasize the importance of promoting...
January 31, 2020
DOE Releases FOA For Its H2@Scale Initiative
By Lynn L. Bergeson Also on January 23, 2020, DOE announced that up to $64 million will be available in funding to advance innovations that will build new markets for the H2@Scale initiative. H2@Scale is an initiative focused on exploring the potential for wide-scale hydrogen production and utilization in the United States to enable resilience and sustainability of the power generation and transmission sectors. The initiative’s goal is to align diverse multibillion-dollar domestic...
On January 24, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft risk evaluation of carbon tetrachloride, “a solvent primarily used in the manufacturing of chlorinated compounds and petrochemicals.” Carbon tetrachloride is the seventh of the first ten chemicals to undergo risk evaluation under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA published a Federal Register notice on January 27, 2020, announcing the availability of the draft...
January 30, 2020
ECHA Will Hold Webinar on Registering Nanoforms under REACH
On February 24, 2020, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will hold a webinar on “Registering nanoforms: practical advice.” As of January 1, 2020, companies must provide more information on nanomaterials on the European Union (EU) market under the updated Annexes to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. Beyond this date, companies must have a registration compliant with these requirements to manufacture or import...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice on January 27, 2020, identifying the preliminary lists of manufacturers (including importers) of the 20 chemical substances that EPA designated as high-priority substances for risk evaluation and for which fees will be charged. 85 Fed. Reg. 4661. During the comment period, manufacturers (including importers) are required to self-identify as manufacturers of a high-priority substance irrespective of whether...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is scheduled to publish a Federal Register notice on January 27, 2020, identifying the preliminary lists of manufacturers (including importers) of the 20 chemical substances that EPA designated as high-priority substances for risk evaluation and for which fees will be charged. Publication of the Federal Register notice will begin a 60-day comment period during which manufacturers (including importers) will be required...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On January 23, 2020, DOE announced that up to $133 million will be available for new and innovative advanced vehicle technologies research designed to increase affordable, efficient, and secure transportation energy. This Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 opportunity will be funded by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and supports priorities in: (1) advanced engine and fuel technologies; (2) lightweight materials; (3) new energy efficient mobility...