May 30, 2025

TSCA Section 21 Petition Seeks Reconsideration of 2024 Rule Regarding Procedures for Chemical Risk Evaluation

On May 15, 2025, the Center for Environmental Accountability (CEA) filed a petition under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requesting that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reconsider the 2024 final rule regarding procedures for chemical risk evaluation under TSCA and initiate a rulemaking to amend certain provisions in 40 C.F.R. Part 702, subpart B. According to CEA, the current process “has led to overly conservative risk conclusions and, in turn,...
May 30, 2025

Chemical Product Law and Supply: A Guide to New TSCA

Hello, this is Lynn Bergeson. As many of our listeners may know, we here at Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. recently published a book through the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, titled Chemical Product Law and Supply: A Guide to New TSCA. Recently, my ABA colleague Amy Edwards, a partner at Holland & Knight LLP, and I recorded a podcast to discuss the book—why we wrote it, and why chemical stakeholders of all...
May 29, 2025

Minnesota Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed PFAS Reporting Rule as Entities Voice Concerns about Compliance with Deadlines and Due Diligence Standards

On May 22, 2025, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) held a public hearing on its “Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to PFAS in Products; Reporting and Fees” (proposed rule). Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Jim Mortenson facilitated the hearing, which had more than 100 participants in attendance. MPCA has made available online the PowerPoint document used for the hearing presentation, the hearing exhibits, and a transcript of the hearing. Procedural Background The pre-hearing public...
May 28, 2025

Chemical Coalition Withdraws TSCA Section 21 Petition Seeking Revisions to TSCA 8(a)(7) PFAS Reporting Rule

As reported in our May 4, 2025, blog item, on May 2, 2025, a coalition of chemical companies petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for an amendment of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7) rule requiring reporting for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The petitioners ask that EPA revise the reporting rule to exclude imported articles, research and development (R&D) materials, impurities, byproducts, non-isolated intermediates, and PFAS...
May 27, 2025

TSCA Reform — Nine Years Later, June 25, 2025, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EDT)

For complimentary registration, visit the ELI registration page:https://www.eli.org/events/tsca-reform-nine-years-later Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health are pleased to present “TSCA Reform -- Nine Years Later” on June 25, 2025. This complimentary virtual conference marks the ninth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Annual Conference. As with our previous TSCA...
May 23, 2025

NASEM Releases Quadrennial Review of NNI, Recommends Renewed and Expanded Infrastructure

On May 20, 2025, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced the release of a report entitled Quadrennial Review of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (2025): Securing U.S. Global Leadership Through Renewed and Expanded Infrastructure. Requested by Congress as part of the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act, the report focuses on the infrastructure of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI). The Committee on the Quadrennial Review...
May 23, 2025

Bipartisan Bill Would Expand Biofuels and Biobased Manufacturing Innovation

On May 7, 2025, Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) introduced the Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity Act (Ag BIO Act) (H.R. 3253), a bipartisan bill that would support the biofuel economy. According to Budzinski’s May 8, 2025, press release, the bill would update the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Section 9003 program to expand access to grants, streamline loan guarantees, and provide $100 million in mandatory funding over five years. The...
May 22, 2025

EPA Proposes to Extend Certain Compliance Deadlines to Ensure Lab Compliance with Final Methylene Chloride Risk Management Rule

On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a proposed rule that would extend certain compliance dates in the final risk management rule for methylene chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) “to ensure long-term compliance with the rule’s requirements.” The proposed rule would extend the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) compliance dates for non-federal laboratories by an additional 18 months to align with the dates allowed for federal...
May 21, 2025

FDA Advances Post-Market Chemical Review Program

On May 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the launch of “a stronger, more systematic review process for food chemicals already on the market -- especially those that concern consumers most.” Over the coming months, FDA will roll out the following key actions: A modernized, evidence-based prioritization scheme for reviewing existing chemicals. According to FDA, it will soon release a draft for public comment; A final, systematic post-market review process shaped...
May 21, 2025

Congress and the Feds — the Impact of Nonperformance

Ponder the following existential question: Who does their job less effectively? Members of Congress, or employees of federal agencies? Let’s examine the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees versus those responsible for legislating environmental laws. Congress has not been able to reauthorize environmental statutes for years, with some (most) needing significant attention. EPA relies on 1990 Clean Air Act amendments to sort out air pollution issues and address climate change...