The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published the latest edition of the Developments in Delegations on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials and Advanced Materials — Tour de Table. The Tour de Table compiles information provided by delegations on the occasion of the 22nd meeting of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) in June 2022. The Tour de Table lists U.S. developments on the human health and...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 27, 2023, that it denied a January 26, 2023, petition from Blueland, Plastic Pollution Coalition, and partners, including Beyond Plastics, Plastic Oceans International, The Shaw Institute, Lonely Whale, 5 Gyres, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), Oceanic Global Foundation, The Last Beach Cleanup, Rio Grande International Study Center, Inland Ocean Coalition, Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Turtle Island...
On May 3, 2023, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing entitled “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for the Environmental Protection Agency.” The only scheduled witness is Michael S. Regan, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On May 10, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials will hold a hearing on “The...
By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a request for information (RFI) on April 27, 2023, seeking public input on existing or potential bioeconomy-related industries and products that are established, emerging, or currently embedded in existing industry/manufacturing processes. 88 Fed. Reg. 25711. As reported in our September 13, 2022, blog item, on September 12, 2022, President Joseph Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) creating a...
April 27, 2023
EUON Extends Deadline for Study Proposals
As reported in our March 16, 2023, blog item, on March 14, 2023, the European Union (EU) Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) issued a call for study proposals. EUON is looking for studies on: Questions related to the health and safety aspects of nanomaterials, including hazard and risk assessment, exposure to nanomaterials, or worker safety and protection; Specific issues surrounding the uses of nanomaterials; or Information about markets for nanomaterials (e.g., the market for...
On April 27, 2023, Chemical Watch quoted Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), regarding the proposed TSCA risk management rule that would ban all consumer uses and most commercial applications of methylene chloride. For ten continuing uses, the agency outlined a new workplace chemical protection programme (WCCP) requiring adherence to exposure limits well below those set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)...
The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) presents "IRS Issues Proposed Superfund Chemical Excise Tax Regulations – What Now, What is Next?". Now that there are proposed regulations for the superfund chemical excise tax, Director of Chemistry, Dr. Richard Engler of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and tax attorney Douglas Charnas of McGlinchey Stafford will provide an update on the tax, share their thoughts on the proposed rule, and highlight any outstanding...
On April 20, 2023, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued its updated High Risk List, which highlights 37 areas across the federal government that are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, or that need broad reform. The High Risk List includes “Transforming EPA’s Process for Assessing and Controlling Toxic Chemicals.” GAO states that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to implement its mission of protecting public health and the...
By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton On April 25, 2023, the Council of the European Union (EU) announced that it approved the conclusions on the opportunities of the bioeconomy in light of current challenges, with special emphasis on rural areas. Using biomass to produce food, materials, and energy can help boost rural communities, increase competitiveness, and combat many of the challenges facing the EU. According to the press release, in their conclusions, ministers...