The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in a November 4, 2010, Federal Register notice the availability for public review and comment of a draft guidance document entitled, “Weight-of-Evidence Guidance Document: Evaluating Results of EDSP Tier 1 Screening to Identify Candidate Chemicals for Tier 2 Testing.” According to EPA, the purpose of the draft guidance document is “to set forth some general principles, criteria, and considerations EPA generally...
We are pleased to announced that Lynn L. Bergeson will moderate a “quick teleconference” program sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources entitled “Selling Green: A Concise Overview of the FTC’s Proposed Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.” The November 16, 2010, teleconference will explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed revisions to its Guides for the Use of...
On Monday, July 20, 2010, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) held the fourth of five scheduled Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) stakeholder meetings. OSHA held the informal, information-gathering meeting for all interested parties as part of its development of a rule intended to reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace by proactively addressing workplace safety and health hazards in a systematic way. The stakeholder meeting attendees included...
October 28, 2010
CPSC Posts Draft Final Rule Regarding Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released an October 14, 2010, memorandum that includes its draft final rule concerning the publicly available, searchable database on the safety of consumer products, and other substances the CPSC regulates. The database is intended to provide a single point of access to reports of harm involving consumer products, manufacturer’s comments on the reports, and recall information. Under Section 212 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of...
On October 20, 2010, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it is seeking comment on its expansion of the Green Technology Pilot Program. 75 Fed. Reg. 64692. USPTO implemented the Pilot Program on December 8, 2009, permitting patent applications pertaining to green technologies, including greenhouse gas reduction, to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier. USPTO intends the Program to promote the development of green technologies, which could include...
October 19, 2010
OSHA Proposes Interpretation of Its Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise
On October 19, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed to alter significantly its interpretation of the term “feasible administrative or engineering controls” as that term is used in the applicable sections of OSHA’s General Industry and Construction Occupational Noise Exposure standards. 75 Fed. Reg. 64216. Under the standard, which is codified at 29 C.F.R. Sections 1910.95(b)(1) and 1926.52(b), employers must use administrative or engineering...
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register announcing that it has forwarded to the Secretary of Agriculture, a draft proposed rule that would revise EPA’s 2006 rule on protections for subjects in human research involving pesticides. 75 Fed. Reg. 62738 (found online). EPA announced on June 18, 2010, that it settled a lawsuit over its 2006 final rule. Under the settlement, EPA agreed to propose amendments to the rule...
On October 6, 2010, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released for public comment revisions to its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (Green Guides), which the FTC contends is designed to assist product marketers avoid making false and misleading environmental claims. The proposed changes, released in a pre-publication Federal Register notice, are designed to update the Green Guides and make them easier for companies to use and understand. They are the...
The State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Pesticide Operations and Management (POM) Committee held a meeting on September 20, 2010. During the meeting, Jennifer McLain, Associate Director of the Antimicrobials Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), provided an update on EPA’s regulation of pesticides containing nanoscale materials. McLain’s slides are...
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) has released its proposed regulations for safer consumer product alternatives. Under the proposed regulations, CDTSC would create a list of chemicals that it deems toxic and believes could harm people or the environment. CDTSC would prioritize products containing those chemicals based upon such factors as the volume in commerce, the extent of public exposure, and how the product is eventually disposed. Manufacturers of those products...
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Federal Register notice seeking individual stakeholder input regarding EPA’s role in the “green” or sustainable products movement. 75 Fed. Reg. 56528. EPA will consider the information gathered from the notice and other sources as it works to define its role and develop a strategy that identifies how EPA “can make a meaningful contribution to the development, manufacture, designation, and use of...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed on August 13, 2010, that it will conditionally register a pesticide product containing nanosilver as an active ingredient. According to EPA, the nanosilver active ingredient is intended for use as a preservative in textile products, including those made from natural and synthetic fibers and which are used to manufacture indoor use articles such as sheets, blankets, towels, napkins, outerwear, sportswear, sleepwear, undergarments, socks and...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is hosting a webinar on TSCA Reform Legislative Initiatives on September 22, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. (EDT). This webinar will focus on recent developments and as such builds on the May 22, 2010, webinar, which focused on developments to that time. Please save the date — details will be sent under separate cover. Request the materials from this webinar....
August 24, 2010
DOT Proposes to Harmonize Air and Marine Transport Regulations with International Standards
On August 24, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a proposed rule seeking to harmonize the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMRs) with international standards. 75 Fed. Reg. 52069. The proposal revises several proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. PHMSA states that these revisions...
August 23, 2010
OSHA Hosting Internet Forum to Identify Hazardous Chemicals That Warrant Exposure Reduction Strategies
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is hosting an Internet forum that began on August 16 and runs through August 27 to seek stakeholder input in identifying hazardous chemicals for which OSHA should develop exposure reduction strategies. The forum expressly solicits stakeholders’ views on “harmful chemicals” and reasons why OSHA should focus on them in reducing worker exposures. The notice announcing the forum expresses OSHA’s recognition...
August 20, 2010
EPA Announces Action Plans for Chemicals Used in Dyes, Flame Retardants, and Industrial Detergents
On August 18, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced action plans for benzidine dyes, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and nonylphenol (NP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE). According to EPA, the chemicals are widely used in both consumer and industrial applications, including as dyes, flame retardants, and industrial laundry detergents, respectively. The action plans identify a range of actions EPA is considering under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as well as...
On August 13, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed its Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Modifications Rule. 75 Fed. Reg. 49655. As highlighted below, the proposal includes important changes to the IUR reporting obligations that will have a significant impact on industry. These include, among others, requiring process and use information for substances over 25,000 pounds, requiring electronic submission of IUR reports; replacing the “readily obtainable”...
On August 5, 2010, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) introduced legislation that would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to clarify that Clean Water Act (CWA) permits are not required for pesticide application in accordance with FIFRA (S. 3735). The Senate legislation is prompted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) June 4, 2010, notice...
The Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (MOTA) will post this week a Technology Guidance Document entitled “Nanotechnology — Considerations for Safe Development,” which includes recommendations intended to enhance the safety of nanotechnology. According to MOTA, it is providing the Guidance for “the express purpose of assisting in the development of this technology, as failure to prevent exposures or releases will not just risk harm to health or the environment...
Charlie Auer submitted testimony today on H.R. 5820, the Toxic Chemicals Safety Act of 2010. As many of you know, Charlie is affiliated with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), and we are pleased to share the copy of Charlie’s testimony for your information. The testimony Charlie prepared is offered strictly on his own behalf, and does not reflect anyone’s views other than Charlie’s. That said, given Charlie’s intimate understanding of the Toxic Substances Control Act and...