August 1, 2011

Monthly Update for August 2011

TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Announces Chemical Data Reporting Rule: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to publish in the Federal Register this month a final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule, previously referred to as the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Modifications Rule. The CDR is intended to enable EPA to collect and publish information on the manufacturing, processing, and use of commercial chemical substances and...
August 1, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Moves Ahead with BPA Action Plan,” Chemical Processing, August 2011.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on July 26, 2011, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) concerning testing of bisphenol A (BPA). The notice applies to EPA’s chemical action plan issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on BPA in March 2010. The ANPR shows the EPA is moving forward, sending a strong message that the agency isn't backing off plans to regulate BPA under TSCA, or any other chemical action plans.
July 29, 2011

OEHHA Revises Proposed Regulation for Hazard Traits and Environmental and Toxicological Endpoints

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced on July 29, 2011, that it revised its proposed regulation concerning the specification of hazard traits, environmental and toxicological end-points, and other relevant data that are to be included in California’s Toxics Information Clearinghouse.  The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) will use information from the Clearinghouse to help identify chemicals of concern in consumer products as...
July 29, 2011

OECD Releases Guidance and Surveys Regarding Minor Use Pesticide Registration Incentives

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently released three documents on pesticide minor uses: (1) Guidance Document on Regulatory Incentives for the Registration of Pesticide Minor Uses (Minor Use Guidance); (2) OECD Survey on Regulatory Incentives for the Registration of Pesticide Minor Uses: Survey Results; and (3) OECD Survey on Efficacy & Crop Safety Data Requirements & Guidelines for the Registration of Pesticide Minor Uses: Survey...
July 29, 2011

CRS Releases Reports Concerning TSCA and TSCA Reform Legislation

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has released two reports concerning the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) -- a February 23, 2011, report entitled "The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): A Summary of the Act and Its Major Requirements," and a July 25, 2011, report entitled "Proposed Reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the 112th Congress: S. 847 Compared with Current Law." Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), which is...
July 27, 2011

HHS and OSTP Publish ANPR to Improve Rules Protecting Human Health Research Subjects

On July 26, 2011, the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) to request comment on how current regulations for protecting human subjects who participate in research might be modernized and revised to be more effective. The ANPR seeks comment on how to protect better human subjects who are involved in research, while facilitating...
July 26, 2011

Comment Deadline Approaches for EPA’s Policy on Nanoscale Materials in Pesticide Products

Comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed policy on nanoscale materials in pesticide products are due August 17, 2011. EPA offers two approaches for obtaining the information EPA believes it needs concerning nanoscale materials in pesticide products. Under the first approach, EPA would use Section 6(a)(2) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to obtain information regarding what nanoscale material is present in a registered pesticide...
July 25, 2011

EPA to Publish ANPR Concerning Testing of BPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently scheduled to publish on July 26, 2011, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) concerning testing of bisphenol A (BPA). EPA will request comments on requiring toxicity testing to determine the potential for BPA to cause adverse effects, including endocrine-related effects, in environmental organisms at low concentrations. EPA will also seek comments on requiring environmental testing consisting of sampling and monitoring for BPA...
July 25, 2011

EU Project Tackles Engineered Nanomaterials Risk

The European Commission (EC) announced on July 13, 2011, that European Union (EU)-funded scientists have developed risk assessment criteria for engineered nanomaterials “that will help support experts in making innovation and policy decisions.” According to the EC, findings reveal that product design can affect the unintentional release of engineered nanomaterials. The scientists suggest that the risk assessment criteria should be used to assess and minimize potential risks, which the EC...
July 21, 2011

Lynn L. Bergeson Listed Among Top Women Lawyers in the Northeast

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta), and The Acta Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU) are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson is included on Martindale-Hubbell's list of top women lawyers in the Northeast, in the category of environmental law. Martindale-Hubbell used its comprehensive database of Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings to identify women lawyers who have been rated by their peers to be AV Preeminent -- the highest Peer Review Rating available. More...