All Knowledge & Insights By Date

On June 7, 2016, Chemical Week quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner of Bergeson & Campbell P.C. (B&C®), about the challenges facing the implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Lynn Bergeson, managing partner of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., says the new program will face a variety of hurdles because of the challenge of deadlines, resources, and "only a short (if any) honeymoon period. It might take a significant length of...

On June 7, 2016, the Wall Street Journal Risk & Compliance Journal reporter Ben DiPietro featured quotes by Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner of Bergeson & Campbell P.C. (B&C®), about the impact of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Reform on nanotechnology chemicals. The article “Updated Rule Offers Better Oversight of Nanotech Chemicals” explores how many nanotech chemicals were mostly ignored by the language of TSCA, but may now be reviewed by the U.S. Environmental...

On June 6, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, Managing Partner of Bergeson & Campbell P.C., (B&C®), presented “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the Mediterranean Region: Modern Agriculture and Technology” at the International Bar Association 4th Mediterranean Conference in Rome, Italy. Ms. Bergeson began her presentation with a discussion of the similarities between U.S. and European Union (EU) oversight systems. Both systems address comprehensively potential risks posed...

On May 10, 2016, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines on highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) (Guidelines) as part of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management (Code of Conduct).  HHPs are defined in the Guidelines as “pesticides that are acknowledged to present particularly high levels of acute or chronic hazards to health or environment according to internationally accepted...

A post from the Environmental Law Institute's "Vibrant Environment" Blog By Lynn L. Bergeson The last thing the push for TSCA reform needs is another delay, and Senator Paul's unexpected interest in H.R. 2576 has caused just that. Under typical circumstances, a Member's focused interest in legislation is refreshing, and as today highlights, entirely too infrequent. In this instance, the circuitous road to TSCA reform is anything but typical—the complexity of the...

On May 3, 3016, Mexico’s Ministry of Economy published a notice beginning a public consultation on two draft nanotechnology standards.  Proposed standard PROY-NMX-R-80004-5-SCFI-2015 is identical to ISO/TS 80004-5:2011, “Nanotechnologies — Vocabulary — Part 5:  Nano/bio interface.”  ISO/TS 80004-5:2011 lists terms and definitions related to the interface between nanomaterials and biology.  It is intended to facilitate communications between...

On Wednesday, June 1, 2016, Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Susan L. Biro issued an Initial Decision in the matter of Bayer CropScience LP and Nichino America, Inc. (BCS/NAI), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Docket No. FIFRA-HQ-2016-0001. This decision was issued following BCS/NAI’s request for a hearing to contest EPA’s Notice of Intent to Cancel Pesticide Registrations (NOIC).  BCS/NAI challenged EPA’s position that a conditional registration term in the relevant...

On May 23, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) had resumed incentives for farmers and foresters producing biomass for renewable energy and biobased products. BCAP has $3 million in available funding for fiscal year (FY) 2016. The program was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, and supports growers who produce energy biomass crops, or deliver forest and agriculture residues to a USDA-approved bioenergy...

On May 27, 2016, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of $8.8 million to increase production of advanced biofuels in 39 states. The USDA Advanced Biofuel Payment Program is providing the funding with payments being allocated based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from non-corn kernel starch renewable biomass. Eligible feedstocks include crop residue, food waste, yard waste, vegetable oil, and animal fat. A full list of the 108 programs receiving payments is available...