December 7, 2022

Materials Available from EPA’s NAMs Conference and CompTox Chemicals Dashboard Training

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on December 7, 2022, that the final video recording, slide deck, and case study worksheets from the CompTox Chemicals Dashboard virtual training are now available. EPA also announced that the Dashboard recently released a new version (v2.1.1). New features include: A new link to an updated set of Help Pages containing new information; Ability to visualize structures in Batch Search; Ability to...
December 6, 2022

European General Court Annuls Harmonized Classification and Labeling of Titanium Dioxide

On November 23, 2022, the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) announced a decision of the General Court that annuls the 2019 harmonized classification and labeling of titanium dioxide as a carcinogenic substance by inhalation in certain powder forms. According to the press release, the European Commission (EC) “made a manifest error in its assessment of the reliability and acceptability of the study on which the classification was based and, second, it infringed the criterion...
December 6, 2022

EPA’s FY 2023 Top Management Challenges Include Providing for the Safe Use of Chemicals

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   Under the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, each agency’s inspector general must prepare an annual statement summarizing what the inspector general considers to be “the most serious management and performance challenges facing the agency” and to assess briefly the agency’s progress in addressing those challenges. On November 29, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released...
December 5, 2022

NNI Reports Its Impact on the U.S. Economy

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) posted a blog item entitled “Impact of the NNI on the U.S. economy: at least $42 billion in one year!” on November 28, 2022. According to NNI, participating government agencies and departments have invested more than $38 billion over the past 20 years in nanoscale research and development (R&D), establishing the United States “as the leader in the field.” In 2014, the Executive Office of the President’s National Science and Technology...
December 5, 2022

USDA Scientists Produce Nanobodies in Plant Cells that Block Emerging Pathogens

 By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   On November 30, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced that its scientists have determined that plants could be used to produce nanobodies that quickly block emerging pathogens in human medicine and agriculture. The nanobodies are small antibody proteins naturally produced in specific animals like camels, alpacas, and llamas. ARS researchers evaluated nanobodies to prevent and...
December 2, 2022

EuropaBio Announces Biomanufacturing Platform

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   EuropaBio announced on November 14, 2022, a new cross-sectoral Biomanufacturing Platform. EuropaBio states that the Platform has the mission to represent biomanufacturing at the highest policy levels in Europe and to ensure that it is visible and recognized within the industrial strategy and Europe’s green and digital transitions. The Platform will address the policy and wider frameworks through which biomanufacturing is delivered. EuropaBio...
December 1, 2022

Dennis R. Deziel Quoted by Chemical Watch in Article “US EPA trims annual pesticide registration maintenance fees”

On December 1, 2022, Chemical Watch quoted Dennis R. Deziel, Senior Government Affairs Advisor, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) reduction of its annual pesticide registration maintenance fee to $2,400 for fiscal year 2023, down from $2,660 in the previous year.  Dennis Deziel, senior government affairs advisor at law firm Bergeson and Campbell, told Chemical Watch that Congress is...
December 1, 2022

Monthly Update for December 2022

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends. We wish you and your family a safe and healthy 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. WEBINAR – Registration Is Open For “Two Years Later: How Has the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Changed REACH and CLP...
December 1, 2022

ORD Publishes Six Strategic Research Action Plans for FYs 2023-2026, Including for Chemical Safety f

By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton   Research in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) is organized around six highly integrated and transdisciplinary national research programs that are closely aligned with EPA’s strategic goals and cross-EPA strategies. Each program is guided by a Strategic Research Action Plan (StRAP) developed by EPA with input from its many internal and external partners and stakeholders. In October...
November 30, 2022

USDA Scientists Produce Nanobodies in Plant Cells that Block Emerging Pathogens

On November 30, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced that its scientists have determined that plants could be used to produce nanobodies that quickly block emerging pathogens in human medicine and agriculture. The nanobodies are small antibody proteins naturally produced in specific animals like camels, alpacas, and llamas. ARS researchers evaluated nanobodies to prevent and treat citrus greening disease in citrus trees. The scientists...