The Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) of California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) will meet on December 10, 2020, to discuss the prioritization of 22 chemicals or chemical groups, including titanium dioxide nanoparticles. DARTIC will provide OEHHA with advice on the prioritization of these chemicals for listing consideration at future meetings. No listing decisions will be made at the meeting. ...
October 5, 2020
EPA Accepting Public Comments for Candidates under Consideration for TSCA SACC Membership
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting public comments for all candidates under consideration for membership on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). Biographies for all candidates are available in Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0135. When providing comments, EPA states that stakeholders should not submit electronically any information considered to be confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and its consulting affiliate, The Acta Group, LLC (Acta®), are seeking a pesticide regulatory consultant to join our growing team of regulatory consultants, scientists, and policy experts. This position will be a full-time remote/telecommuting position directed from our Washington, D.C. office even if filled by a local candidate. PositionApplicants should be experienced in all aspects of preparing, submitting, and managing applications under the...
Beginning November 2, 2020, following the next release of the International Uniform Chemical Information Database (IUCLID), companies will be required to provide a name for the nanoforms or sets of nanoforms of their substance when registering nanomaterials under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. According to an item in the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) September 30, 2020, weekly news, companies that have already...
October 2, 2020
DOE SBIR/STTR Programs Office Invites Researchers To Participate In December Workshop
By Lynn L. Bergeson In early September, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Office announced that from December 14 to 17, 2020, the Brookhaven National Laboratory will host a virtual workshop for industry researchers to showcase the capabilities and expertise available at DOE’s Office of Science User Facilities. Designed to benefit researchers who have either previously used the Brookhaven...
October 2, 2020
EPA Releases Final Rule Intended To Promote Transparency In Developing Regulatory Guidance Documents
By Lynn L. Bergeson 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...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 24, 2020, EPA announced the 2020 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners. EPA recognized 18 Safer Choice Partner of the Year award winners across ten states and the District of Columbia for achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer chemicals that further outstanding or innovative source reduction. EPA states that the Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers for facilities, such as schools and office...
October 2, 2020
DOE, DOC, DoD, And Department Of State Announce FCAB
By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 10, 2020, DOE, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the U.S. Department of State announced the launch of the Federal Consortium for Advanced Batteries (FCAB). FCAB was formed to accelerate the development of a secure, robust, domestic industrial base for advanced batteries. It provides a framework for cooperation and coordination among federal agencies that have a stake in developing such battery technology and...
October 2, 2020
EPA Extends Public Comment Period On ICR On Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food
By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 29, 2020, EPA announced that it has submitted for review and approval an information collection request (ICR) on Anaerobic Digestion Facilities Processing Wasted Food to Support EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program and Sustainable Management of Food Efforts to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). EPA’s Federal Register notice proposes the renewal of a previous ICR, which is currently approved through September 30, 2020. EPA had...
October 2, 2020
House Passes Clean Economy Jobs And Innovation Act
By Lynn L. Bergeson On September 23, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed by a record vote of 229-187 to the passing of a bill titled “Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act.” The bill aims to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy to address climate change. The Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act creates R&D programs to reduce fossil fuel production through various energy sources. It also incentivizes innovation through grant programs in energy...