October 5, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Harmonizing DOT HMR International Standards,” Pollution Engineering, October 5, 2014.

On Aug. 25, 2014, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a proposed rule seeking to harmonize the hazardous materials regulations (HMR) with international regulations and standards. The rule would revise proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations and vessel stowage requirements....
October 1, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, Charles M. Auer, Oscar Hernandez, “Creative Adaptation: Enhancing Oversight of Synthetic Biology Under the Toxic Substances Control Act,” Industrial Biotechnology, October 2014.

Synthetic biology is delivering on its promise as an emerging scientific field in providing society with effective new sustainable products in diverse areas including renewable energy, contamination remediation, and medical applications, among others. As is the case with any rapidly evolving technology, the pace of technological innovation challenges regulators’ ability to identify and address adequately the substantial uncertainties they confront when discharging their legal obligations under...
October 1, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Considers Revisions to RMP Regulations,” Pollution Engineering, October 1, 2014.

On July 31, 2014, EPA published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking information and data on potential revisions to its Clean Air Act (CAA) Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations and related programs. In the RFI, EPA asks for information on specific regulatory elements and on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) approaches, the public and environmental health and safety risks they address, and the costs and burdens they may impose. This...
September 23, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Canada Eyes Hazardous Products Regulation,” Chemical Processing, September 23, 2014.

On August 9, 2014, Canada published a proposal for adopting the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). GHS compliance is a big issue for just about all manufacturers, and understanding the approach of our neighbor to the north is important. This column summarizes the highlights....
September 8, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA’s Air Office Recommends Lowering Ozone NAAQS,” Pollution Engineering CoffeHaus Blog, September 8, 2014.

The EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) has concluded that there is adequate evidence for lowering the existing National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone (O3) from 75 parts per billion to between 70 ppb and 60 ppb. The recommendation is found in a 600 page long Policy Assessment for the Review of the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, issued on Aug. 29, 2014....
September 8, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “NNI and NASA Co-Sponsor Technical Interchange Meeting on Carbon Nanotubes,” Nanotechnology Now, September 8, 2014.

The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) announced in the September 8, 2014, Federal Register that it will hold a technical interchange meeting entitled “Realizing the Promise of Carbon Nanotubes — Challenges, Opportunities and the Pathway to Commercialization” on September 15, 2014. See http://nano.gov/2014CNTTechInterchange The meeting is sponsored by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and co-sponsored by the National Aeronautics and...
September 1, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Misleading Recycled Content Claims are Criminal,” Pollution Engineering, September 1, 2014.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped up its enforcement initiatives and recently settled two cases with companies that market plastic lumber and related products. FTC alleged that these companies misled consumers in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act in their marketing materials regarding the environmental attributes of their products....
August 26, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “Australia Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority Will Hold Nanotechnology Regulation Symposium,” Nanotechnology Now, August 26, 2014.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will host a nanotechnology regulation symposium on October 28, 2014. See http://apvma.gov.au/node/11191 APVMA states that it “has worked over many years to progressively develop a regulatory framework for nanoscale agvet chemicals and chemical products.” APVMA intends the symposium to provide industry and regulators with an opportunity for dialogue on the future regulation of nanopesticides and...
August 21, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, Meglena Mihova, “Nanomaterials and Public Disclosure: Are European Nano Product Registries the Answer?,” Natural Resources & Environment, Volume 29, Number 1, Summer 2014.

Nano product registries in Europe are the newest twist to satiating the public’s relentless “right to know.” Nominally intended to prevent hazards, facilitate monitoring, and promote consumer choice, nano product registries also risk stigmatizing nano products, diverting limited government and private resources, and potentially creating commercial barriers to a promising technology. This article in the American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment magazine focuses on...
August 14, 2014

Lynn L. Bergeson, “DOT Eyes Safe Transport of Crude Oil,” Chemical Processing, August 14, 2014.

On August 1, 2014, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), which falls under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), published an important proposed rule intended to improve the safety of transportation of large quantities of flammable materials by rail — particularly crude oil and ethanol. The proposal responds to several catastrophic railcar derailments, all involving crude oil and resulting in fatalities. The DOT also issued on the same day a companion...