On September 24, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final risk evaluation for cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD). EPA found unreasonable risks to the environment from six out of 12 conditions of use and unreasonable risks to workers and occupational non-users (ONU) from the use and disposal of HBCD in building and construction materials. EPA found no unreasonable risks to the general population and no unreasonable risks to consumers. EPA’s next step...
September 23, 2020
EPA Will Hold Webinar on Proposed Nomination Form to Add NAMs to TSCA Section 4(h)(2)(c)
On September 30, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a webinar on “Identification of NAMs for Placement on the TSCA Section 4(h)(2)(C) List: A Proposed NAM Nomination Form.” The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg Act) amended Section 4(h)(2)(c) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to require EPA to develop a list of alternative test methods or strategies that are “scientifically reliable, relevant, and capable of...
September 22, 2020
NSF Will Invest $84 Million in National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure
The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced on August 24, 2020, that it will invest a total of $84 million over five years in a renewal of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI). According to NSF, “NNCI’s 16 sites and coordinating office provide researchers from academia, large and small businesses, and government with access to leading-edge fabrication and characterization tools, instrumentation, and expertise across all disciplines of nanoscale...
September 18, 2020
EFSA Calls for Grant Proposals on the Use of NAMs for the Hazard Assessment of Cellulose Nanofibers
On September 15, 2020, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) called for grant proposals on the use of new approach methodologies (NAM) for the hazard assessment of cellulose nanofibers. EFSA states that the use of cellulose at the nanoscale is increasing and requires an assessment. According to EFSA, the main concern is that the nanoscale characteristics (e.g., length/shape of the fibers) may influence the toxicokinetic and hazardous properties of cellulose nanofibers....
September 17, 2020
A NanoBCA Retrospective — A Conversation with Vincent Caprio
This week’s All Things Chemical™ Podcast will be of interest to readers of the Nano and Other Emerging Chemical Technologies Blog. A brief description of the episode written by Lynn L. Bergeson is below. This week I sat down with Vincent Caprio, Founder and Executive Director of the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA). Vince has been on the forefront of nano innovations and optimizing opportunities for businesses to commercialize their nano creations for...
PSX 2020, presented by the Product Stewardship Society (PSS), was designed to support professional growth by providing education relevant to current, emerging, and future issues in product stewardship. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) Managing Partner Lynn L. Bergeson, President of PSS Board of Directors, gave opening remarks. Karin F. Baron, Senior Regulatory Consultant with B&C and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry,...
September 16, 2020
EPA Seeks Participants for Small Business Advocacy Review Panels on Methylene Chloride and 1-BP Risk Management Rulemakings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 16, 2020, that it is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profits to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SER) to provide advice and recommendations to two Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panels. There will be one Panel for methylene chloride and one Panel for 1-bromopropane (1-BP). According to EPA, each Panel will focus on EPA’s development of proposed rules to address unreasonable risks...
September 16, 2020
Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Tells Businesses To Pay Up,” Chemical Processing, September 16, 2020.
On August 26, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the much-anticipated interim final list of businesses subject to risk evaluation fees for the 20 chemicals designated as “high priority” under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Making the interim final list available now gives businesses and other stakeholders an opportunity to review the list for accuracy. It also provides time for businesses to reach out to form consortia to share in fee payments....
September 16, 2020
China Tariffs: Court of International Trade Lawsuit Challenges Section 301 Tariffs
A recent legal challenge may be of interest to some of our clients. The challenge involves a case filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) challenging President Trump’s authority to impose supplemental tariffs on goods from China identified on Lists 3 and 4A and seeking refunds. As our clients know well, some pesticides and cleaning products are listed on List 3 and thus subject to 25% China tariffs. There are two prongs to the argument....
September 16, 2020
EPA Releases Final Rule Intended to Promote Transparency in Developing Regulatory Guidance Documents
On September 14, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of a final rule establishing the procedures and requirements for how EPA will manage the issuance of guidance documents consistent with Executive Order (EO) 13891, “Promoting the Rule of Law Through Improved Agency Guidance Documents.” The final regulation provides a definition of guidance document for the purposes of this rule, establishes general requirements and procedures...