Articles

The latest approach to TSCA reform addresses some industry concerns. Senators David Vitter (R-La.) and the late Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) in May introduced the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA), later designated S. 1009. CSIA is a new approach to Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform that industry stakeholders may view favorably when compared to prior legislative efforts. This article highlights key elements of the draft bill....

In a rare showing of bipartisan support for reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), senators David Vitter (Republican-Louisiana) and the late Frank Lautenberg (Democrat-New Jersey) recently introduced the Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA). The bill offers a new and potentially politically viable framework for TSCA reform and renewed hope that needed modernisation of this important chemical management law may happen....

On May 17, 2013, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) published a report on regional, state, and local (RSL) initiatives in nanotechnology. See http://nano.gov/node/1020 The report is the result of a workshop, convened May 1-2, 2012, and sponsored by the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council and the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute....

In May 2013, the European Commission (EC) posted a January 2013 report entitled Examination and assessment of consequences for industry, consumers, human health and the environment of possible options for changing the REACH requirements for nanomaterials. According to the report, 12 of the 21 originally suggested options are considered already implemented with existing legislation and guidance. The other nine options were considered relevant for an adaptation of the Registration, Evaluation,...

On May 9, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a significant new use rule (SNUR) for premanufacture notice (PMN) substance P-12-44, which is identified as “functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes.” According to the Federal Register notice, “[t]he PMN states that the generic (non-confidential) use of the substance is as an additive for rubber and batteries.” EPA states that it determined that “use of the substance other than as...

On April 11-12, 2013, the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment hosted an invitation-only conference entitled “Building Blocks for Completing EU Regulation of Nanomaterials.” The conference was intended to identify areas where current European Union (EU) legislation on nanomaterials is insufficient. Participants included representatives from Member States, the European Commission (EC), European Parliament (EP), industry, and a number of non-governmental...

There has been a lot of talk lately about reforming Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Sadly, that is all it is: talk. It appears that the prospects for TSCA reform legislation passing any time soon continue to be dim, even with the democrats retaining control of the Senate....

On April 29, 2013, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) titled “Toxic Substances: EPA has Increased Efforts to Assess and Control Chemicals but Could Strengthen Its Approach.” The report is available at www.gao.gov/products/GAO-13-249. The GAO has long faulted the EPA’s chemicals management program. In 2005, GAO reported that the EPA failed to use its Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)...

On April 30, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) announced the availability of the final report entitled Application of Life-Cycle Assessment to Nanoscale Technology: Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles....

President Obama won a decisive victory on November 6, 2012, and the forecast for the next four years is clearer now than it was pre-election. This Washington Watch column offers some preliminary observations on what lies ahead for domestic environmental management issues at the legislative and regulatory levels....