January 19, 2023

What to Expect in Chemicals Policy and Regulation in 2023 — A Conversation with Richard E. Engler, Ph.D.

Download transcript. This week, Dr. Richard E. Engler, Director of Chemistry for B&C and The Acta Group (Acta®), our consulting affiliate, returned to the studio to discuss what to expect in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulation in the New Year. While we cannot predict with precision, we know 2023 will be a consequential year for several reasons: the first final risk management rule will be issued, the final per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) reporting rule will be...
January 19, 2023

EPA Finds TCE, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Poses an Unreasonable Risk to Human Health

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 9, 2023, the availability of the final revision to the risk determination for trichloroethylene (TCE) risk evaluation issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 88 Fed. Reg. 1222. EPA determined that TCE, as a whole chemical substance, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health when evaluated under its conditions of use (COU). EPA states that the revision to the risk determination reflects its...
January 19, 2023

OSTP Releases Framework for Strengthening Federal Scientific Integrity Policies and Practices

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   On January 12, 2023, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) announced the release of A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice, “a roadmap that will help strengthen scientific integrity policies and practices across the federal government.” The framework builds on the assessment of federal scientific integrity policies and practices described in the January 2022 report, Protecting the...
January 18, 2023

Acta Webinar on Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Quoted in Bloomberg Law Article “Chemical Law Change Ahead in EU Seen Likely to Raise Costs in US”

On January 17, 2023, Bloomberg Law quoted speakers, including Jane S. Vergnes, Ph.D., DABT®, Director of Toxicology, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), from B&C affliate The Acta Group's (Acta®) "Two Years Later: How Has the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Changed REACH and CLP Regulations?" webinar. The European Union will propose many regulatory changes this year that could substantially increase US companies’ costs and prevent exports of some chemicals or...
January 18, 2023

Lynn L. Bergeson Quoted by Chemical Watch in Article “What should we expect from TSCA in 2023?”

On January 18, 2023, Chemical Watch quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), regarding changes expected from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the coming year.  According to attorneys at Bergeson & Campbell, the EPA has pulled senior scientists from across the agency to assist with new chemicals reviews, while continuing to hire new ones. "The onboarding and training of new assessors will...
January 18, 2023

Congress Enacts Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022, Significantly Strengthening Regulation of Cosmetics

In a move that some may not have seen coming, Congress enacted the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) on December 29, 2022, as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act. The MoCRA significantly strengthens the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over cosmetic products. Key impacts are summarized below. Background On April 16, 2021, the Performance Enhancement Reform Act was introduced to the House of Representatives by Representative Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA)....
January 17, 2023

Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Quoted by Chemical Watch in Article “US speciality chemical firms considering shifting R&D to EU”

On January 17, 2023, Chemical Watch quoted Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) regarding an annoucement by the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (Socma) that U.S. speciality chemicals companies are "strongly considering" introducing new chemicals into the European market due to the consistency of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) review process relative to that...
January 17, 2023

EPA’s Fall 2022 Unified Agenda Includes Proposed and Final TSCA and TRI Rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fall 2022 Unified Agenda, published on January 4, 2023, includes the following rulemakings under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) or the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). Proposed Rule Stage Fees for the Administration of TSCA (2070-AK64): In January 2021, EPA proposed updates and adjustments to the 2018 TSCA fees rule (2021 Proposal). In light of public comments, EPA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) on...
January 13, 2023

SweNanoSafe Publishes Notes from Fifth Annual Research Network Workshop

On November 25, 2022, the Swedish National Platform for Nanosafety (SweNanoSafe) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) held the Fifth Annual Research Network Workshop. According to SweNanoSafe’s December 20, 2022, announcement, the online workshop was chaired by Geert Cornelis and attracted some 40 participants. SweNanoSafe has posted an overview of the workshop contents that includes a summary of the key outcomes. According to the report, the breakout...
January 13, 2023

EPA Adds Nine Chemicals and Removes One PFAS from Safer Chemical Ingredients List

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 12, 2023, that it is updating the Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL), “a living list of chemicals organized by functional-use class that EPA’s Safer Choice program has evaluated and determined meet Safer Choice criteria.” EPA is adding nine chemicals to the SCIL. EPA states that to expand the number of chemicals and functional-use categories on the SCIL, it encourages manufacturers to submit their safer...