All Knowledge & Insights By Date

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances (OPPT) and Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) were both active with regard to nanoscale materials regulation and policy in 2010. The new year is expected to see comparable activity.

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 on January 27, 2011, Lynn L. Bergeson will moderate a panel discussing key nanotechnology-related international and state regulatory programs during a "quick teleconference" program sponsored by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources entitled Nano Governance: The Current State of Federal, State, and International...

On January 10, 2011, Environmental Science & Technology posted a peer-reviewed pre-publication article entitled “120 Years of Nanosilver History:  Implications for Policy Makers,” which shows that nanosilver in the form of colloidal silver has been used for more than 100 years and, according to the authors, has been registered as a biocidal material in the U.S. since 1954.  The article states that 53 percent of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered biocidal silver...

On January 14, 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) began a public consultation on a draft document entitled “Guidance on Risk Assessment Concerning Potential Risks Arising from Applications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies to Food and Feed.” According to EFSA, the draft guidance offers practical guidance for the risk assessment of applications involving the use of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the area of food and feed (including food additives, enzymes, flavorings, food...

The January 14, 2011, issue of Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News notes that Lynn L. Bergeson blogged that B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C., will be working with BASF to create a consortium to respond to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control's (CDTSC) data call-in (DCI) on nano silver, nano zero valent iron, nano titanium dioxide, nano zinc oxide, nano cerium oxide, and quantum dots.

The January 14, 2011, issue of Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News quotes James V. Aidala regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to revoke tolerances for a fluoride-based pesticide.  According to Aidala, EPA's use of aggregate risk in making its decision could raise questions.

Determining whether the presence of nanoscale materials in chemical substances, mixtures, and articles triggers a disclosure obligation is complicated. The decision turns on a calculus that includes what law applies, what is known about the presence of nanoscale components, what knowledge standard applies, whether and how a nanoscale material is defined, and an entity’s interpretation of disclosure obligations. This article outlines the state of domestic environmental and securities law and...

In response to concerns expressed by diverse stakeholders over the final draft of its Safer Consumer Product Alternatives (SCPA) regulations, the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) has delayed implementation of the regulations, which focus on chemicals and chemical ingredients in consumer products. The net effect of this recent development on the regulation of chemical substances in consumer products in California is uncertain. This column discusses the recent change in plans...

On December 21, 2010, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued a much anticipated data call-in (DCI) for information regarding analytical test methods, and other relevant information, from manufacturers of nano silver, nano zero valent iron, nano titanium dioxide, nano zinc oxide, nano cerium oxide, and quantum dots.