April 6, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Comments Due July 6 On Proposed Reporting And Recordkeeping Requirements For Nanoscale Materials,” Nanotechnology Now, April 6, 2015.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) proposed rule concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for certain chemical substances when manufactured or processed at the nanoscale was published in the April 6, 2015, Federal Register. ...
April 3, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “New Technologies and an Old Law: Renewable Chemicals Invite Challenges under TSCA,” Natural Resources & Environment Volume 29, Number 4, Spring 2015.

The resurgence of chemical production derived from renewable feedstocks reflects the new business imperatives of which chemical product manufacturers are all keenly aware: produce greener chemicals and reduce carbon footprints. Careful review of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a law enacted almost forty years ago during the heyday of petroleum-derived chemical production, suggests that more can be done now to promote the commercialization of renewable chemicals to achieve these...
March 25, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Issues Response to ICTA Petition Regarding Nanosilver,” Nanotechnology Now, March 25, 2015.

Almost seven years ago, the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA) filed a petition for rulemaking requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulate products containing nanosilver as pesticides and for related other forms of relief. On March 19, 2015, EPA responded to the petition....
March 24, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “French Agency Publishes Opinion on Silver Nano Particles,” Nanotechnology Now, March 24, 2015.

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) published on March 10, 2015, an Opinion concerning exposure to silver nanoparticles that “stresses the research that has been carried out to examine the potential health and environmental effects of silver nanoparticles but notes that this is still insufficient to allow the health risks to be assessed.”...
March 17, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “OSHA Publishes HCS Compliance Guide,” Chemical Processing, March 17, 2015.

On Feb. 9, 2015, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published the Enforcement Guidance for the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) effective June 1, 2015. The Guidance offers important insights into OSHA’s HCS enforcement strategy with regard to mixtures, and is therefore a must-read for stakeholders if they wish to be in the best possible position to avoid enforcement consequences for non-compliance with the HCS....
February 11, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Eyes Perfluorinated Chemicals,” Chemical Processing, February 11, 2015.

Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, the EPA identified potential issues presented by PFOS, a perfluorinated acid. Data showed PFOS to be present in low levels in humans and wildlife worldwide, and that PFOS appeared to be highly persistent. At the time, PFOS was used in industrial and consumer applications, including soil and stain repellant sprays, fire-fighting foams and semiconductor manufacture. Between 2000 and 2002, 3M Company, the principal domestic manufacturer of PFOS, voluntarily...
February 3, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Promulgates SNUR for Polymer of Terephthalic Acid and Ethyl Benzene with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (Generic),” Nanotechnology Now, February 3, 2015.

On February 2, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated through a direct final rule significant new use rules (SNURs) for 27 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). The substances include polymer of terephthalic acid and ethyl benzene with multi-walled carbon nanotube (generic) (PMN Number P-13-573), which is subject to a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) consent order.  ...
February 2, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Canada Begins Review of SNAc Orders and Notices for Nanomaterials,” Nanotechnology Now, February 2, 2015.

On January 28, 2015, Environment Canada announced that, with Health Canada, it has initiated a review of significant new activity (SNAc) orders and notices currently in place under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). See http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/plan/approach-approche/snac-nac/index-eng.php#a2 According to Environment Canada, since publication of the first SNAc in 2001, policies and practices have evolved, particularly with respect to the nature and scope of...
January 23, 2015

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Switzerland Announces Continuation of Action Plan for Synthetic Nanomaterials,” Nanotechnology Now, January 23, 2015.

The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced on December 17, 2014, that the Federal Council decided to continue the action plan for synthetic nanomaterials until 2019. See http://www.bag.admin.ch/nanotechnologie/12167/?lang=en The objectives of the action plan include:...