December 17, 2024

PFAS – What to Know Now, and What to Expect

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are attracting global legal, regulatory, commercial, and litigation attention as no other “emerging contaminant” has. Companies producing, processing, distributing, and/or using these substances must be aware of global legal and scientific developments and take steps now to minimize legal, regulatory, and commercial risk. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and its global consulting affiliate The Acta Group (Acta®) have prepared...
April 30, 2025

National Biotechnology Initiative Act Would Implement Recommendations from NSCEB’s Final Report

As reported in our April 25, 2025, blog item, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) announced on April 8, 2025, the availability of its final report and action plan, “urging Congressional action to bring the full weight of American innovation to improve and maintain U.S. global leadership in biotechnology.” On April 9, 2025, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), an NSCEB Commissioner, and the other three Congressional Commissioners introduced the bipartisan, bicameral...
April 30, 2025

Richard E. Engler, Ph.D. Named an “Expert of the Year” by the Alliance for Chemical Distribution

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to announce that Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, has been named an Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) “Expert of the Year” in the inaugural cohort of recipients of this new initiative by ACD to recognize and honor “extraordinary talent and achievements” among the ACD community. The professionals chosen for the 2024 class were selected by an invitation to all ACD members to nominate those who exemplify...
April 29, 2025

EPA Outlines Actions to Address PFAS

On April 28, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlined upcoming Agency action to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). According to EPA’s announcement, “[i]n line with Administrator Zeldin’s Powering the Great American Comeback initiative, EPA’s work in this space will advance Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American, and Pillar 3: Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership.” EPA states that these actions...
April 29, 2025

EPA Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver to Allow Sale of E15 This Summer

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 28, 2025, that it has issued an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) nationwide in summer 2025. EPA notes that this is consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) Declaring a National Energy Emergency, directing EPA to consider issuing emergency waivers to allow for year-round E15 sales. According to EPA, currently, in about half of the country, E15...
April 29, 2025

TSCA Reform – Nine Years Later, June 25, 2025, via livestream

Save the date to join Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute, (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health for our ninth annual conference providing updates and insights regarding the current state of TSCA implementation, ongoing and emerging issues, and related developments. As with our previous TSCA anniversary events, a stellar faculty of speakers from government, non-governmental organizations, industry, and academia...
April 29, 2025

PFAS Updates: What’s Happening in the U.S. and EU, May 13, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EDT), via webinar

Register now to join Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) affiliate The Acta Group (Acta®) and EPPA for “PFAS Updates: What’s Happening in the U.S. and EU,” a complimentary webinar offering expert updates on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulatory developments. These substances are attracting global legal, regulatory, commercial, and litigation attention as no other “emerging contaminant” has. While the U.S. Administration is new, PFAS regulation continues at a...
April 28, 2025

EPA Extends Comment Period on Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS

On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extended the comment period on a draft risk assessment of the potential human health risks associated with the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in biosolids, also known as sewage sludge. 90 Fed. Reg. 16128. According to EPA, the draft risk assessment “reflects the agency’s latest scientific understanding of the potential risks to human health and the environment posed by the...
April 28, 2025

Lynn L. Bergeson and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D. Quoted in Chemical Watch Article “Extended hiring freeze ‘all bad’ for US EPA’s chemicals office”

On April 23, 2025, comments by Lynn L. Bergeson and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D. were featured in Chemical Watch’s article regarding an extension of the Trump administration hiring freeze. Lynn Bergeson, principal with law firm Bergeson & Campbell, said the impacts of the hiring freeze on the EPA’s chemicals programme are “all bad”.  “EPA needs all the help it can get, and competent staff are needed, urgently,” she said.  Her...
April 25, 2025

National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology’s Final Report Includes Recommendations to Boost Economy and Protect National Security

The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) announced on April 8, 2025, the availability of its final report and action plan, “urging Congressional action to bring the full weight of American innovation to improve and maintain U.S. global leadership in biotechnology.” After an extensive study that included “more than 1,800 stakeholder consultations, a holistic review of unclassified and classified material, site visits across the United States, and meetings with...
April 25, 2025

EPA Provides Technical Support for Companies Submitting New Chemical Data

On April 25, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of new resources intended to help companies with the requirements described in EPA’s December 2024 final rule governing the review of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to EPA, the new materials “provide companies with clear instructions on how to include required data elements in the current system used for new chemical submissions while the agency works to...