The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted two prepublication Federal Register notices concerning its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP). In the first notice, EPA announces the EDSP Tier 1 battery of assays and availability of test guidelines for conducting the assays included in the battery. In the second notice, EPA announces the issuance of the initial EDSP screening orders and the schedule of issuance. EPA expects both notices to be...
Earlier this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a voluntary labeling program for biobased products and solicited comment on its approach. Under the proposed labeling program, manufacturers and vendors could, after obtaining certification from USDA, market the certified biobased product using the “USDA Certified Biobased Product” label. The proposed program would also apply to other entities, such as trade associations, that wish to use the label to...
At yesterday’s Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee meeting, Steven Bradbury, Deputy Office Director for Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs, announced that Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator of the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, would be signing later in the day the Federal Register notice concerning the schedule for sending out test orders for the final list of chemicals for initial Tier 1 Screening...
On October 6, 2009, environmental, consumer, and industry associations hosted a conference entitled “The Future of U.S. Chemicals Policy.” Sponsors included the Environmental Working Group, Rachel’s Network, The Pew Health Group, Community Against Pollution, The Louisiana Bucket Brigade, American Chemistry Council, Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Turner Foundation, Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), and Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA). U.S....
On October 1, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of “a new transparent process” intended to allow the public to review and comment on risk assessments and proposed registration decisions for pesticides. According to EPA, this expanded process will apply to all new pesticide active ingredients and first food uses, first outdoor uses, and first residential uses. Starting October 1, 2009, for certain registration actions, EPA will add...
On September 30, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the Nanomaterial Research Strategy (Strategy), which EPA describes as its new research strategy to understand better how manufactured nanomaterials may harm human health and the environment. The Strategy outlines what research EPA intends to support over the next several years to generate information about the safe use of nanotechnology and products that contain nanoscale materials. The...
Yesterday the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a proposed rule that would align the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The HCS requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate chemical hazards and provide information to subsequent users. According to OSHA, it made a preliminary determination that the proposed HCS modifications...
Last night, in a speech at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the Obama Administration’s core principles for legislative reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In parallel with the legislative initiative, Jackson also announced EPA’s plans to strengthen its current chemical management program and increase the pace of its efforts to address chemicals that pose a risk to the public. ...
Today the American Chemical Society (ACS) held a briefing intended to provide a forum to explore the perspectives, roles, and activities of various stakeholders regarding reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). E. Donald Elliott, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, moderated the panel, which included Andy Ingrejas, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families; Sarah Brozena, American Chemistry Council (ACC); Roger McFadden, Staples; Kenneth Zarker, Washington State Department of Ecology; and...
Yesterday the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Project on Emerging Technologies (PEN) hosted a meeting on “Transatlantic Regulatory Cooperation: Securing the Promise of Nanotechnologies.” The program is part of a collaborative research project involving experts from the London School of Economics (LSE), Chatham House, the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and PEN. The project is funded by a grant from the European Commission to support pilot projects on “Transatlantic...