September 7, 2023

IBA 2023, October 29 – November 3, 2023, Paris, France

The International Bar Association (IBA) 2023 Annual Conference brings together legal professionals worldwide to meet, share knowledge, build contacts and develop business. The Agriculture and Food Section (AFS), chaired by Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, B&C is supporting the “Antimicrobial resistance regulation in the context of one health: how legislation can help reduce AMR” session on October 31, 2023, and the “Biodiversity – our...
September 6, 2023

NSF Will Hold Public Listening Sessions on NSTC Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), on behalf of the federal agencies and departments participating on the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Subcommittee on Scientific Integrity (the Subcommittee), is organizing two virtual listening sessions to hear from members of the public about recommendations, issues, and concerns related to federal department and agency implementation of the NSTC Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice (the Framework). 88...
September 5, 2023

SCHC 2023 Annual Meeting, September 30 – October 5, 2023, Arlington, VA

The Society for Chemical Hazard Communication (SCHC) presents the 2023 Annual Meeting, covering worker safety, domestic and international regulatory compliance, toxicology and other chemical and physical hazards, environmental toxicology, and risk analysis. Karin F. Baron, MSPH, Director of Hazard Communication and International Registration Strategy, B&C and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, B&C, will present the Regulatory Jurisdiction...
September 5, 2023

EPA Announces Release of Final Guidance and Methods to Control Public Health Pathogens on Soft Surface Textiles in Non-Residential Settings

On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of final guidance and methods for evaluating efficacy claims of antimicrobial products registered to reduce bacteria and viruses on soft surface textiles. EPA states that throughout the guidance, the term “soft surface textile” refers to a soft, porous, or non-porous surface that includes the outer surface of non-clothing fabrics/textiles in clinical and...
September 5, 2023

DOD, GSA, and NASA Propose to Require Agencies to Procure Sustainable Products and Services to the Maximum Extent Practicable

On August 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to restructure and update the regulations to focus on current environmental and sustainability matters and to implement a requirement for agencies to procure sustainable products and services to the maximum extent practicable. 88 Fed. Reg. 51672. Comments are...
August 31, 2023

Section 6 Advocacy and the Importance of Being Early — A Conversation with Richard E. Engler, Ph.D.

This week I discuss with my colleague, Dr. Richard E. Engler, Director of Chemistry for B&C and The Acta Group, our consulting affiliate, the importance of engaging early and often with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 6 risk evaluation process. We discuss conditions of use (COU) of a chemical being evaluated by EPA, the reasons why educating EPA on COUs is critically important to regulated businesses, the...
August 31, 2023

EWG Will Host Summit on Future of Farm Subsidies

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) will host a “first-ever Summit on the future of farm subsidies featuring key experts, including leaders from the Heritage Foundation and other conservative voices” on September 5, 2023. According to EWG, the Summit will also feature experts from other organizations, including farm groups, and will feature a panel of congressional staff who work for leading subsidy reform advocates in Congress. EWG notes that the Future of Farm Subsidies Summit...
August 31, 2023

IBA Agriculture and Food Section Shares “Responsible Land-Based Investments in Agriculture: Latin America” Recording and Announces IBA Annual Conference Sessions

The International Bar Association (IBA) Agriculture and Food Section (AFS), Chaired by Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), is pleased to share a recording from the Capacity Development Webinar for Lawyers on Responsible Land-Based Investments in Agriculture: Latin America Focus. This webinar explores the current regulatory framework for sustainable and responsible investment in agriculture, and panelists discuss how lawyers in the private and public...
August 30, 2023

Registration Opens for CHIPS R&D Standards Summit on September 26 and 27, 2023

Maxence Pira, Unsplash By Lynn L. Bergeson & Carla N. Hutton on August 30, 2023 POSTED IN FEDERAL, RESEARCH, UNITED STATES The CHIPS Research and Development Office’s Standards Summit will be held as an in-person and virtual event on September 26 and 27, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EDT). Co-hosted by a number of organizations, including the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), the event will bring together CHIPS...
August 29, 2023

It’s Not as Easy as It May Appear: Bringing Sustainable Chemistry to Market in the U.S., November 15, 2023 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (EST), via webinar

Sustainable chemistry is critical to the global economy and making the world a better place. Increasingly chemical and product innovators, businesses, and others are more discerning in selecting and using raw materials based on new criteria heavily influenced by sustainability factors. Businesses are increasingly finding value in waste as a feedstock, reducing hazardous chemicals in manufacturing processes, designing chemicals to be greener, and being more efficient in using energy, water, and...