TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA Seeks Comment On Series 810 Test Guidelines: On June 17, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability for comment of several Series 810, non-binding, draft test guidelines developed by the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). 80 Fed. Reg. 34638. The test guidelines provide guidance on conducting testing by the public and companies that are subject to EPA data submission requirements under OCSPP’s...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA Denies Petition To Ban Triclosan: On May 13, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) denied a petition submitted in January 2010 by Food & Water Watch and Beyond Pesticides seeking to ban triclosan, an antibacterial compound. According to EPA, “the information available at this time does not support granting the majority of the relief requested. The agency notes, however, that it is currently engaged across various programs in assessing the...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA Releases TSCA Work Plan Chemical Problem Formulation, Initial Assessment For 1,4-Dioxane: On April 28, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan Chemical Problem Formulation and Initial Assessment for 1,4-Dioxane, a chemical used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of other chemicals. 80 Fed. Reg. 23545. A first step in the assessment of TSCA Work Plan chemicals, the 1,4-Dioxane Problem...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EAB Reverses Epic Penalty In Elementis Case, But Affirms EPA’s “Continuing” TSCA Section 8(e) Interpretation: On March 13, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) reversed the November 2013 Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) ruling that Elementis must pay a $2.5 million penalty for failing to submit a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(e) notice on a 2002 study showing hexavalent chromium causes...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA Extends Deadline On TDI SNUR: On February 23, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the deadline of its proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) concerning 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate unspecified isomers (TDI) and related compounds. 80 Fed. Reg. 9427. EPA extended the comment period for 45 days, from March 16, 2015, to April 30, 2015. EPA Extends Comment Period On Proposed SNUR For 13...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI EPA OEI Office Announces Transfer Of TRI Program To OPPT: On January 22, 2015, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Environmental Information (OEI) announced that EPA has begun the process of transferring the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program to the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). EPA believes this move would leverage better scientific and technical expertise in both EPA program offices and make the TRI program a more integral...
Predictions And Outlook For EPA’s Office Of Chemical Safety And Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) 2015: 2015 will be a very interesting year. There are two overarching considerations that will make the year more difficult to predict than merely assuming most of this year’s issues will simply be extensions of past issues, with a few new initiatives sprinkled in. First, the new Republican majority in the Senate will change the dynamic between the Executive and Legislative branches....
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients’ behalf. Global Chemical Control Handbook Published by ABA SEER The attorneys, scientists,...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA/NTP EPA Proposes To Remove 72 Chemicals From Approved Pesticide Inert Ingredients List: On October 22, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested public comment on a proposal to remove 72 chemicals from its list of substances approved for use as inert ingredients in pesticide products. 79 Fed. Reg. 63120. EPA reportedly is responding to petitions submitted by the Center for Environmental Health, Beyond Pesticides, Physicians for Social...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA/NTP EPA Schedules SAP Meeting On Endocrine Activity: On September 16, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has scheduled a four-day meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to consider and review Integrated Endocrine Activity and Exposure-based Prioritization and Screening. 79 Fed. Reg. 55475. The meeting will be held on December 2–5, 2014, from approximately 9:00...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA Health Activists’ Petition Seeks Sunset Of CBI Claims: On August 21, 2014, six environmental health organizations filed a petition under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The petition urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking to require periodically the re-substantiation of confidential business information (CBI) claims made under TSCA. Under TSCA, EPA has 90 days within which to respond to the petition....
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA IARC Classifies Dichloromethane, Other Substances As Human Carcinogens: In June, an expert panel of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that dichloromethane, a chemical substance used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, photographic films, and solvents, is a probable human carcinogen (Group 2A). IARC classified 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP), a solvent primarily used to make other chemicals, as a human carcinogen (Group 1). The expert panel...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA Limited Space Still Available For Sustainable Futures Training Workshop: There are still spaces available for the Sustainable Futures Training workshop scheduled for August 5-7, 2014, at the George Washington University campus in Washington, D.C. Attendees at the three-day workshop will get firsthand experience with the tools, methods, and models used by the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA) in its assessment of new chemicals. The workshop includes in-depth...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Extols Pesticide Civil Penalty, But The Decision Could Be Problematic For Registrants And EPA: On June 6, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Liphatech, Inc. (Liphatech), a pesticide manufacturer based in Milwaukee, WI, paid a $738,000 civil penalty for Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) violations. The vast majority of the penalty was based on violations of FIFRA Section 12(a)(2)(E), because, EPA alleged,...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA B&C® Creates TSCA Reform Online Hub: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) has created an online hub for news, information, and commentary on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform that is available at www.TSCAreform.org. B&C’s lawyers, scientists, regulatory specialists, and business consultants relentlessly participate in and track developments regarding ongoing TSCA reform efforts and related state regulatory initiatives such as...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Makes TSCA Notifications Of Substantial Risk Amendable To Electronic Reporting: On March 19, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that notifications of substantial risk under Section 8(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and voluntary For Your Information (FYI) submissions may now be filed electronically using EPA’s electronic document submission system, the Central Data Exchange (CDX). 79 Fed. Reg. 15329. Use of this...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA’s Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program Updates EDSP Comprehensive Management Plan: On February 21, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) Comprehensive Management Plan to emphasize the utilization of advanced informational technology and computational methods. The updated 2014 EDSP Comprehensive Management Plan provides strategic guidance for EPA personnel and outlines the critical EDSP...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Delivers ITC’s 73rd Report To EPA Administrator: On January 23, 2014, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Interagency Testing Committee’s (ITC) 73rd Report to the EPA Administrator. 79 Fed. Reg. 4068. The Report removes five High Production Volume (HPV) program orphan chemicals from the ITC’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 4(e) Priority Testing List. The chemicals are: 1,3-hexanediol, 2-ethyl- (CAS No....
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA Predictions For EPA’s Office Of Chemical Safety And Pollution Prevention: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) outlines thoughts on what may be headed our way in 2014 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). We also offer a few thoughts on European and Asian developments pertinent to chemical regulatory matters. Although President Obama is well into his second term, the 2014...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients’ behalf. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Statement Of Regulatory Priorities Includes Taking Action On...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA IARC Nominations Of Possible Carcinogens: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced on October 15, 2013, that it is seeking nominations by January 31, 2014, of chemicals, occupations, biological agents, or other factors suspected of causing cancer in humans. A scientific committee will review the nominated substances or situations April 7-9, 2014, to select those that will be subject to examination to determine whether they are human...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA House Subcommittee Convenes Hearing On Role Of TSCA Preemption: On September 18, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy convened a hearing on the “Regulation of Existing Chemicals and the Role of Pre-Emption under Sections 6 and 18 of the Toxic Substances Control Act.” This was the Subcommittee’s third hearing on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) issues, and was intended to focus “on the existing...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Releases New Neonicotinoid Labels: In a letter dated August 15, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new pesticide labels restricting some applications of four neonicotinoid insecticides as of the 2014 growing season. The labels include a bee advisory box and icon warning of potential harm to pollinators, with information on routes of exposure and spray drift precautions. The labels affect products containing the insecticides imidacloprid,...
TSCA/FIFRA/EPCRA/IRIS EPA Issues Direct Final Rule Adopting 2012 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes For TRI Reporting: On July 18, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule adopting the list of NAICS codes subject to reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) to reflect the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2012 NAICS revisions. 78 Fed. Reg. 42875. The rule will be effective on October 16, 2013, unless adverse...
ChemCon Asia 2013 with its unique global approach and comprehensive review of global chemical issues will take place in Seoul, South Korea, from September 9-13, 2013, with an accompanying exhibition and two pre-conference seminars — Korea and Global Survey of Regulated Lists of Chemicals. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is a proud sponsor. ChemCon is a global platform that brings together more than 200 experts representing companies, authorities, and international...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Hosts SFIREG Meeting: On June 10-11, 2013, the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Full Committee held a meeting at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) offices in Crystal City, Virginia. Handouts are available upon request from Chad Howlin. During the meeting, there was considerable discussion regarding domestic and international pollinator protection...
On June 12, 2013, the Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC) and the Society for the Commercial Development of Industrial Biotechnology (SCD-iBIO) will present a webinar entitled Commercializing Renewable Chemicals: What You Need To Know About TSCA. The webinar will be held from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. (EDT). TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Seeks Efficacy Data For Antimicrobial Pesticides For Fogging or Misting: On April 1, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent a...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Previews New Website For Consolidated Chemical Data Access: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), convened an in-person and on-line public forum today to discuss OPPT’s ongoing efforts to develop an interactive public website. The website would integrate a wide range of chemical data collected and EPA assessments conducted under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) programs, as supplemented by...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Schedules FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel On EDSP: On February 22, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scheduled a four-day meeting of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP) to consider and review the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) Tier 1 Screening Assays and Battery Performance. 78 Fed. Reg. 12311. The meeting will be held on May 21-24, 2013. EPA seeks comments by May 7,...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Issues Toxics Release Inventory Program Data: On January 16, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) data for 2011, revealing the releases declined 8 percent from 2010, primarily due to decreases in hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. Total releases of chemicals increased for the second year in a row. The TRI program collects information on certain toxic chemical releases to the air, water, and land, as...
Predictions For EPAs Office Of Chemical Safety And Pollution Prevention: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s (B&C) thoughts on what may be headed our way in 2013 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) are provided in our memorandum available online. Although the 2012 Presidential Election is over, environmental issues will continue to be used to make distinctions between the two parties (or between...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Issues Final TSCA Section 8(d) Rule On Cadmium And Cadmium Compounds: On December 3, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule adding cadmium and cadmium compounds to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(d) model rule thus requiring manufacturers and importers...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Pesticide Committee Will Meet November 29-30: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) will meet November 29-30, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The Committee, which is comprised of government officials, academic experts, and representatives from pesticide manufacturers, trade associations, and public interest groups, is working on an agenda for the Committee’s second meeting of the year. Committee...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA State FIFRA Issues Research And Evaluation Group Holds Meeting: On September 17-18, 2012, the Association of American Pesticide Control Officials (AAPCO)/State Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) Pesticide Operations Management (POM) Working Committee (WC) held its semi-annual full committee meeting in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices in Crystal City, Virginia. Through a...
The Acta Group (Acta), Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s (B&C) consulting affiliate, will hold a complimentary webinar on September 19, 2012, to outline and discuss changes to the European Union (EU) regulations for companies marketing biocidal active substances and biocidal products in the EU. More information is available online. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Publishes Peer Review Plans For Chemicals: On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA IRIS Announces Availability Of Literature Search For Benzo(a)Pyrene: On July 16, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of a literature search for benzo(a)pyrene (CAS No. 50-32-8). 77 Fed. Reg. 41784. EPA is also requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to this chemical substance as part of EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA will accept information related to...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Publishes Extension Of CDR Rule: On June 18, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule extending the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule submission deadline for 2012 reports from June 30, 2012, to August 13, 2012. 77 Fed. Reg. 36170. Several entities requested an extension of the deadline due to a variety of CDR reporting challenges. EPA Releases IRIS Assessment On Trimethylbenzenes: On June 29, 2012, EPA released its...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRANAMC Requests Extension Of TSCA Chemical Data Reporting Period/EPA Agrees: On May 18, 2012, the North American Metals Council (NAMC) was the first entity to request an extension of the reporting period for the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The requested extension would result in a September 30, 2012, deadline for CDR reporting, a date that is aligned with future CDR reporting periods. According to NAMC, the extension...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Announces Webinar On TSCA Section 8(d) Electronic Reporting Tool: On May 11, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will present a webinar on the use of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(d) electronic reporting tool on May 22, 2012, from 1:00-3:00 pm EDT. The webinar will provide a walk through of the CDX (available online) registration process and the 8(d) reporting tool. Time will be allotted for questions...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) would like to remind its clients and friends that on April 18, 2012, from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (EDT), B&C and The Acta Group, L.L.C. will hold a complimentary webinar on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) final rule revising the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) issued on March 26, 2012. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Revokes TSCA Section 4 Testing Requirements For Certain High Production Volume Chemical...
FEDERAL ISSUES TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Updates Science Assessment For Dioxins: On February 17, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued in final its non-cancer science assessment for dioxins under the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program. According to the IRIS assessment, over a person’s lifetime, current exposure to dioxins does not pose a significant health risk. EPA set the reference dose (RfD) at 0.7 picogram of dioxins per kilogram bodyweight per...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA’s Inspector Claims EPA Needs To Clarify Testing Authority For Endocrine Disruptors: On January 17, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General (IG) stated that EPA needs to clarify the regulatory authority it will use to implement its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) and the number of chemicals that may be evaluated under the Program. On December 13, 2011, EPA issued the EDSP for the 21st Century (EDSP21 Work Plan)....
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA OPP Announces Decision To Review 15 Pesticides: On December 21, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) announced it would review 15 pesticides. The pesticides are benfluralin, bis(trichloromethyl)sulfone, clothianidin, dinotefuran; methylene bis(thiocyanate), orthosulfamuron, paraquat dichloride, pyrethrin and derivatives, sodium omadine, sumithrin (phenothrin), tetramethrin, thiamethoxam, thiobencarb, tri-n butyl...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our many clients and friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. In the spirit of the Season, in lieu of gifts and cards to clients, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. has made a substantial contribution to the House of Ruth, serving the needs of women and children who are homeless and victims of domestic violence. TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA Jim Jones Designated...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/EPCRA EPA Releases New Pesticide Information Products: On October 19, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released several new pesticide information and electronic products. E-dossier is the first new product. According to EPA, approximately 10-15% of submissions to the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) are electronic. E-dossier is a downloadable program that assists companies in making electronic submissions. Chem Search is an online search tool that...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS EPA Issues Draft Harmonized Test Guidelines For Antimicrobial Products: On September 15, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of the draft test guidelines for Series 810 — Product Performance Test Guidelines for Public Health Uses of Antimicrobial Agents, concerning specifically air, textiles, and water. 76 Fed. Reg. 57031. These draft test guidelines are intended to address efficacy testing for antimicrobial agents to be used...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Publishes Chemical Data Reporting Rule: On August 16, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule entitled Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule, formerly known as the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Rule, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 76 Fed. Reg. 50816. The revisions, which were first announced August 2, 2011, expand the requirements for reporting data on production volume, use, and exposure for many chemicals widely...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Announces Chemical Data Reporting Rule: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to publish in the Federal Register this month a final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule, previously referred to as the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Modifications Rule. The CDR is intended to enable EPA to collect and publish information on the manufacturing, processing, and use of commercial chemical substances and...
TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Schedules IRIS Workshop On Methanol: On June 22, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scheduled a workshop on and released a proposed addendum to the external peer review draft human health assessment titled Toxicological Review of Methanol (Non-Cancer): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) for public comment. 76 Fed. Reg. 36534. The purpose of the addendum is to provide the public with several...
FEDERAL ISSUES TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA/RCRA EPA Issues Direct Final Rule Regarding Electronic Reporting Requirements: On May 27, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a direct final rule amending the procedures for requests for modification or revocation of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5 significant new use notification (SNUN) requirements by establishing electronic submission requirements. 76 Fed. Reg. 30835. EPA issued a final rule in the Federal...