The European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) has posted the workshop report from the March 9, 2018, Stakeholder Dialogue meeting. According to the report, the annual meeting focused on providing an update on EUON and allowing stakeholders an opportunity to share their views on expectations on the future development of EUON. During his welcome address, Jukka Malm, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), acknowledged that some stakeholders preferred a mandatory register...
May 18, 2018
EPA Sends Proposed Rule For 2019 RFS Volumes To OMB
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 11, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent a proposed renewable fuel standard (RFS) biofuel volumes rule for 2019 to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for pre-publication review. The proposed rule addresses 2019 renewable blending obligations for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, and total biofuel, with a proposed 2020 percentage standard for biomass-based diesel. The 2019 blending requirement for biomass-based...
May 18, 2018
Draft Environmental Impact Statement And Preliminary Pest Risk Assessment For GE Citrus Tristeza Vir
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 11, 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review and comment. This document evaluates the possible environmental impacts from a potential approval of a permit to release a genetically engineered (GE) Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) through Florida. This GE plant virus would be used as a biological control...
May 18, 2018
USDA BioPreferred Program Awards Biobased Product Label To Tremco’s POWERply® Endure™ BIO Adhesive
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 9, 2018, Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance announced that its POWERply® Endure™ BIO Adhesive had earned the Certified Biobased Product label from the USDA BioPreferred Program. Tremco’s adhesive is made of 71 percent biobased material with ultra-low levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that meet California VOC limits. Four other Tremco Roofing products have the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label, including AlphaGuard™ BIO...
May 18, 2018
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
Plastics Technology, “Focus on Renewable Chemicals Expands for Braskem” Wired, “This Spider-topping Super Wood Is the Strongest Biomaterial Ever” Design News, “Bioplastics Get Tougher and Greener: Durable and Engineering-grade Versions Are Appearing in Cars and Consumer Electronics, as Well as Appliances and Toys” Composites World, “Sicomin Bio-based Epoxy Earns ECOBOARD Qualification"
May 17, 2018
Lynn L. Bergeson Will Speak at 17th NanoBusiness Commercialization Association Conference
The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA) will hold its 17th annual conference on June 14, 2018, in Washington, D.C. Speakers will include Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., as well as: Jim Phillips, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), NanoMech Corporation; Doyle Edwards, Director, Government Programs, Brewer Science; Marco Curreli, Ph.D., Executive Director and Founder, Omni Nano; Lisa Friedersdorf, Director, National...
May 17, 2018
EPA Issues Statements of Findings: Five New Chemical Substances Not Likely to Present an Unreasonable Risk
On May 17, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice releasing statements of findings on new chemical substances made on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(a) notices during the period from February 1, 2018, to March 31, 2018. 83 Fed. Reg. 22978. EPA is required to do so per TSCA Section 5(g) after its review of TSCA Section 5(a) notices when it makes a finding that a new chemical substance or significant new use is not likely to...
The 32nd Triennial Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) was held April 29 through May 4, 2018, in Dublin, Ireland. Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM) has published the abstracts for the Congress online, including the following ones concerning nanomaterials: “Update of potential hazards of nanomaterials,” by PA Schulte, I Iavicoli; “Overview — update of potential hazards of engineered nanomaterials,” by PA Schulte;...
The TSCA Reform and Regulation webinar, hosted by the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) Cyber Chapter and presented by Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), summarized key changes in the law and review major TSCA implementation measures. Special emphasis focused on new chemicals regulation and the challenges chemical manufacturers and importers are experiencing as a consequence of the new law.
The Belgian Federal Public Service for Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment has published the first annual report for nano substances registered for placement on the market in 2016. Although the report is available only in French and Dutch at this time, each contains an executive summary in English. Of the 475 registrations submitted, importers submitted 56 percent of the registrations, distributors 22 percent, and manufacturers 11 percent. The rest were...