On May 2, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of the Draft National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution (Draft Strategy) for public comment. 88 Fed. Reg. 27502. EPA states in its April 21, 2023, press release that the Draft Strategy includes “ambitious actions to eliminate the release of plastic and other waste from land-based sources into the environment by 2040.” EPA released the Draft Strategy alongside a new White...
On April 20, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a proposed rule under Section 6(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that would prohibit most uses of methylene chloride. EPA states that its unreasonable risk determination for methylene chloride was driven by risks associated with workers, occupational non-users (ONU), consumers, and those in close proximity to a consumer use. EPA identified risks for adverse human health effects,...
On April 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) published a request for feedback on its recycled plastics policy. 88 Fed. Reg. 23140. PHMSA states that it published the notice to solicit information pertaining to how the potential use of recycled plastic resins in the manufacturing of specification packagings may affect hazardous materials transportation safety; ensure transparency of its current policy pertaining...
April 13, 2023
EPA Publishes ANPRM Seeking Information to Assist in Consideration of Future CERCLA Regulations Regarding PFAS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) on April 13, 2023, seeking information to assist in the consideration of potential development of future regulations pertaining to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). 88 Fed. Reg. 22399. EPA states that it seeks input and data regarding potential future hazardous substance designation under...
April 7, 2023
ECHA Convenes Online Information Session Regarding the Proposal to Restrict More than 10,000 PFAS under REACH
On April 5, 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) convened an online information session as part of the consultation period regarding the proposal to restrict more than 10,000 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. The speakers during the information session explained how the REACH restriction process works, provided details regarding the restriction proposal, and described how...
April 6, 2023
EPA’s New Chemicals Program Holds Second Webinar in Series on Standardized Approach for MMOs in New and Modified CAMs
On March 30, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New Chemicals Program (NCP) held the second of a two-part webinar series 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). Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA reviews new chemical substances before they enter the marketplace to ensure they do not present unreasonable risk to...
On March 29, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) relating to the Superfund excise taxes imposed on certain chemicals and certain imported substances, effective July 1, 2022. 88 Fed. Reg. 18446. There are two separate Superfund chemical excise taxes: a tax on the sale or use of “taxable chemicals” and a tax on the sale or use of imported “taxable substances.” The NPRM contains proposed regulations under Sections 4661,...
On March 28, 2023, the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA Administrator Michael Regan was the Committee’s only witness. As reported in our March 14, 2023, blog item, according to EPA’s March 9, 2023, press release, President Biden’s budget requests over $12 billion in discretionary budget authority for EPA in...
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on March 22, 2023, on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget proposal. EPA Administrator Michael Regan was the Committee’s only witness. In his written testimony, Regan notes that EPA has “significant responsibilities” under amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to ensure the safety of chemicals in or entering commerce and to address...
On March 17, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released additional data related to the proposed risk management rule for chrysotile asbestos for public comment. 88 Fed. Reg. 16389. According to EPA’s March 16, 2023, press release, these data concern chrysotile asbestos diaphragms used in the chlor-alkali industry and chrysotile asbestos-containing sheet gaskets used in chemical production. EPA states that it may use the data in the development of the final rule,...