Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) has learned that the Senate is preparing to schedule a hearing on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in early February, most likely on February 4, 2010. As noted in our 2010 Predictions memorandum, a new and significantly revised Kid-Safe Chemicals Act (KSCA) has not yet surfaced. The fact that the Senate is scheduling a hearing indicates that a revised Senate proposal is expected soon. There are also indications that if new legislation in...
On January 6, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a final rule amending the electronic reporting requirements under Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (available online). According to EPA, the amendments are intended to streamline and reduce the administrative costs and burdens of TSCA Section 5 notifications for both industry and EPA by establishing standards and requirements for the use of EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) to encrypt and submit...
In our memorandum dated January 6, 2010, we alerted you to a recent activity in New York in connection with the development of a "chemical avoidance list." The list, which reportedly consists of approximately 85 chemicals, would include chemicals that New York government agencies should avoid buying. By way of background, last May the Advisory Council of the New York Interagency Committee on Sustainability and Green Procurement voted 9-1 to recommend adoption of the not-yet published...
As is our custom, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to forward our thoughts on what may be in store this year from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances. In light of the significant chemical management developments underway in the European Union, we are pleased that Ruxandra Cana and Koen Van Maldegem from the Brussels office of Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP have contributed their thoughts on what may be headed our way in the EU....
The New York Interagency Committee on Sustainability and Green Procurement has voted 9-1 to recommend a "chemical avoidance list," which would be a list of 85 chemicals that New York government agencies should avoid buying. Listed chemicals would not be banned, but industry representatives have criticized the proposal, noting that the list would not address the actual risk from exposure. The Committee intends the list to comply with Governor David Paterson's 2008 Executive Order directing state...
True to her word, yesterday U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced action plans on phthalates, long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (PFC), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in products, and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP). This EPA initiative announces actions that are almost breathtaking in scope, and its development and implementation of the action plan items will set a number of new precedents -- and possibly shape future...
Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals (Fourth Report), which provides an ongoing assessment of the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals using biomonitoring. The Fourth Report presents data for the U.S. population for 212 environmental chemicals over the period 2003-2004, updating CDC’s 2005 Third National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental...
December 9, 2009
EPA Announces Development of Voluntary Pilot Programs for Antimicrobial Pesticide Products
Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) announced the development of two voluntary pilot programs for antimicrobial pesticide products. Working collaboratively with the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC), OPP explored the different types of label statements and logos for antimicrobial pesticide product labels. OPP developed the Factual Label Statement Pilot Program and the OPP-Design for the Environment (DfE) Logo Pilot...
December 8, 2009
EPA Announces Revised Risk Assessment Methods for Workers, Children of Workers in Agricultural Fields, and Pesticides with No Food Uses
Earlier today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of a policy paper entitled Revised Risk Assessment Methods for Workers, Children of Workers in Agricultural Fields, and Pesticides with No Food Uses, which describes how EPA plans to use revised methods in conducting risk assessments for pesticide uses and exposures not governed by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). According to EPA, implementing this policy will increase...
December 7, 2009
ECHA Member State Committee Agrees on New SVHCs to Be Added to the Candidate List and First REACH Testing Decision
During the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Member State Committee’s December 2-4, 2009, meeting, the Committee unanimously agreed that 15 new substances of very high concern (SVHC) would be added to the Candidate List. The Committee also unanimously agreed on a testing proposal from ECHA that was submitted under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. More information on these actions is provided below. 15 SVHCs to Be Added to...