Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. was pleased to offer a complimentary webinar, “2016 Chemical Data Reporting: Don’t Despair; Get Prepared!”, that included a review of the CDR reporting elements, a highlight of changes that will come into play for 2016, and some practical tips on how to get prepared. The webinar was presented on May 3, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (EDT), and consisted of 45 minutes of presentation, followed by a 15 minute Q&A period. For a...
The European Commission’s (EC) Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL) met on March 7-9, 2016. The meeting minutes include the following summary regarding SCOEL’s discussion of nanomaterials: Several chemical agents proposed or envisaged to be addressed by SCOEL do concern or also concern the form as nanomaterial. SCOEL identified a group of scientists to organise a workshop or expert meeting in order to prepare for dealing with the subject in specific and take...
On May 2, 2016, Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report published “EPA Expands Regions’ Chemical Management Role,” featuring comments from B&C Managing Partner Lynn L. Bergeson and B&C affiliate Charles Auer. The article discussed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) April 29, 2016 action to manage certain chemicals and related issues more than they traditionally have done. […]“The new regional role is a significant change as the regions did not...
Firm clients and friends with interests in perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and other perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are likely aware that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to issue by mid-May or so new guidance on safe drinking water levels for these chemicals. As EPA and a handful of states continue to address elevated levels of lead in drinking water, EPA Administrator McCarthy has made clear in various meetings over the past...
On April 25, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Susan L. Biro issued an order denying Petitioners Bayer CropScience LP and Nichino America, Inc.’s (BCS/NAI or Petitioners) motion for accelerated decision and deciding that the abbreviated Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 6(e) cancellation hearing, rather than the full Section 6(b) process, was appropriate (Order). This decision is significant...
TSCA/FIFRA/IRIS/NTP/TRI Office Of Inspector General Considers Pesticide Imports: In a memorandum dated April 22, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) informed EPA that it plans "to begin preliminary research to assess the EPA's inspections of, and enforcement against, illegal pesticide imports." OIG will review, among other aspects of the program, whether EPA is effectively identifying pesticide imports for inspection and sampling,...
April 29, 2016
U.S. EPA OIG to Review EPA’s Inspections and Enforcement Actions Related to Illegal Pesticide Imports
In an April 22 memorandum, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to begin preliminary research to assess the EPA’s inspections of, and enforcement against, illegal pesticide imports. OIG states that its objective with this project is to “determine whether the EPA’s Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) import inspection program is effectively deterring, identifying and confiscating illegal...
April 29, 2016
DOE Presents Building The Billion Ton Bioeconomy Webinar
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Research and Development (R&D) Board Operations Committee is hosting a bioeconomy listening session entitled "Building a Billion Ton Bioeconomy in the United States." The event will encourage attendees to share their thoughts on the future of the national bioeconomy, and will specifically solicit input on opportunities and challenges that can be addressed to achieve a focused and successful bioeconomy vision for the U.S. The recently...
On April 15, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sent its newly proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2017 and 2018 to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA must set standards for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel by November 30 of the year before the standard is set for, and 14 months before the year that the biodiesel standard is set for. EPA's issuance...
On April 22, 2016, EPA published Amendments Related to: Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards as a final rule in the Federal Register. This final action amends the RFS Quality Assurance Program (QAP) rule to exempt downstream end users of renewable fuels from product transfer document (PTD) requirements. EPA originally added the PTD requirements to the QAP rule, requiring parties taking ownership of renewable fuel to use the fuel for transportation -- parties would incur a renewable...