February 28, 2024

Library of Congress Publishes Article on South Korea’s Act on Promoting the Green Bio Industry

On February 7, 2024, the Library of Congress posted an article entitled “South Korea: Act to Promote Green Bio Industry Published.” According to the article, South Korea published the Act on Promoting the Green Bio Industry (Green Bio Act) on January 2, 2024. The Green Bio Act, which will enter into force on January 3, 2025, “aims to promote the application of biotechnology to agricultural bioresources and increase the added value of agriculture, develop the...
February 28, 2024

EC JRC Researchers Author Article on How Nanoparticles Are Counted in Global Regulatory Nanomaterial Definitions

The February 2024 issue of Nature Nanotechnology includes an article entitled “How nanoparticles are counted in global regulatory nanomaterial definitions.” Authored by Kirsten Rasmussen, Juan Riego Sintes, and Hubert Rauscher, European Commission (EC) Joint Research Center (JRC), the article examines differences between the definitions in various jurisdictions and how to achieve a global definition. The jurisdictions reviewed include Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development...
February 27, 2024

EDF Releases Chemical Exposure Action Map

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) published a blog item on February 22, 2024, announcing its Chemical Exposure Action Map, a tool “designed to spur the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to transform the assessment of risks posed by toxic chemicals in our communities.” EDF states that the map focuses on multiple high-priority chemicals, highlighting the potential for cumulative risks. EDF notes that when conducting risk assessments under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), EPA...
February 26, 2024

Comments Regarding the Intentional Use of PFAS in Products and CUUs Due March 1, 2024, in Maine and Minnesota

Beginning January 1, 2030, any product containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may not be sold in Maine unless the use of PFAS in the product is specifically designated as a currently unavoidable use (CUU) by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP). MDEP is currently accepting requests for proposals from those seeking CUU determinations. Manufacturers may submit proposals individually or collectively. MDEP notes that these determinations will be...
February 26, 2024

EPA Announces Update on Over-the-Top Uses of Dicamba

On February 14, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean (Existing Stocks Order). This announcement was needed in response to the February 6, 2024, ruling by the U.S. District Court of Arizona vacating the 2020 registrations for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba products. EPA states this Existing Stocks Order “addresses use of the formerly-registered...
February 23, 2024

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Standards — A Conversation with the Honorable Leo E. Strine, Jr.

Download transcript. This week I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, the Honorable Leo E. Strine, Jr., Of Counsel, at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Judge Strine and I discuss the intense focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards and the pressures on corporate directors and managers occasioned by the Caremark decision and its progeny, among other developments. These initiatives have particular relevance to...
February 23, 2024

EPA and DOE Announce Funding to Spur Development of Advanced Biofuels

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on February 22, 2024, the release of a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Advanced Biofuels,” for up to $9.4 million for the development of advanced biofuels. According to EPA, the funding will support “high-impact biofuel technology projects to improve the performance and reduce the cost of biofuel production technologies, scale up production systems...
February 23, 2024

Petitions Filed to Add Caprolactam and Nylon 6 to List of Chemical Substances Subject to Superfund Excise Tax

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on February 22, 2024, that it received petitions requesting that caprolactam (89 Fed. Reg. 13400) and nylon 6 (89 Fed. Reg. 13399) be added to the list of taxable substances under Section 4672(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. AdvanSix Inc., an exporter of caprolactam and nylon 6, filed the petitions. The notice for caprolactam states: According to the petition, caprolactam, a white solid, is primarily used to manufacture nylon...
February 23, 2024

EPA Announces Its Implementation Approaches for Endangered Species Act Pesticide Policies

On February 7, 2024, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator Michal Freedhoff announced the steps EPA is taking to incorporate stakeholder feedback and collaborate with other federal agencies on its requirement to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as part of the registration process, EPA must comply with ESA to ensure pesticides do not harm endangered species or their critical...
February 22, 2024

Lynn L. Bergeson and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D. Quoted in Chemical Watch Article “TSCA new chemical submissions could surge ahead of fees hike”

On February 21, 2024, comments by Lynn L. Bergeson and Richard E. Engler, Ph.D. were featured in Chemical Watch’s article on a recently published update to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) fees rule. Richard Engler, director of chemistry with law firm Bergeson & Campbell, said he expects a surge, but is uncertain if there will be an overall increase in submissions or just an accelerated timeline for companies looking to get their notices in before the fee increase. The former...