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November 7, 2022

EPA Will Hold Webinar on Its Approach Reviewing Mixed Metal Oxides, including New and Modified Cathode Active Materials

Lynn L. Bergeson Carla N. Hutton

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on November 4, 2022, that it will hold the first of a two-part webinar series on November 17, 2022, on EPA’s new standardized process to assess risk and apply mitigation measures, as appropriate, for mixed metal oxides (MMO), including new and modified cathode active materials (CAM). As reported in our October 11, 2022, memorandum, in October 2022, EPA announced an innovative effort intended to help make its review of new MMOs, including new and modified CAMs, more efficient. According to EPA, MMOs are used in batteries, electric vehicles, semiconductors, and renewable energy generation, making them a vital part of clean energy sectors.
 
EPA states that the kickoff webinar will provide statutory and regulatory background, including the related compliance advisory, a broad overview of the approach for risk assessment and risk management, and information on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory, nomenclature, and the bona fide process for those seeking to find out if their MMOs are already on the Inventory.
 
According to EPA, the second webinar, currently targeted for early 2023, will go into greater detail on the standardized risk assessment approach, present various case scenarios and a decision tree for identifying potential hazards and risks, and provide tips on risk calculators, tools, and models that are used for the risk assessment.
 
EPA encourages stakeholders to provide feedback, ideas, and questions at the kickoff webinar. This will help EPA supplement the information that will be shared at the second webinar and any follow-up communication on the new approach.