November 3, 2009

ECHA Publishes Concise Guidance on Chemical Safety Assessment

Today the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced the availability of its Guidance in a Nutshell:  Chemical Safety Assessment, which is intended to assist industry in understanding the general provisions for conducting a Chemical Safety Assessment (CSA).  ECHA states that the Guidance is aimed at non-experts who would like to understand the legal requirements under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation regarding substance...
November 3, 2009

EHP-in-Press Article Evaluates Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity

On October 23, 2009, EHP-in-Press posted an article entitled “Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticle Toxicity in vivo Skin and in vitro Keratinocytes,” which assesses the potential cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in human epidermal keratinocytes, and their inflammatory and penetrating potential into porcine skin in vivo. According to the article, silver nanoparticles are non-toxic when dosed in washed silver nanoparticle solutions or...
November 2, 2009

EPA Will Webcast SAP Meeting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it will stream its November 3-6, 2009, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) meeting on the Internet. EPA has asked the SAP “to consider and review a set of scientific issues related to the assessment of hazard and exposure associated with nanosilver and other nanometal pesticide products.” According to EPA, companies with an interest in marketing products that...
November 1, 2009

Monthly Update for November 2009

TSCA/FIFRA/NTP/EPCRA EPA Issues Notice For External Peer Review Draft Of Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEF) For Dioxin And Dioxin-Like Compounds -- On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced plans to convene an independent panel of experts to organize and conduct an external peer review meeting to review the draft document titled “Recommended Toxicity Equivalency Factors (TEFs) for Human Health Risk Assessments of Dioxin and Dioxin-Like...
October 31, 2009

Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee Holds Semi-Annual Meeting

On October 14 and 15, 2009, the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) held its semiannual meeting in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offices in Arlington, Virginia.  This memorandum summarizes the presentations and topics discussed during the meeting, which were organized into seven sessions: National Permit Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit development for pesticides; Status of litigation-mandated endangered species biological opinions and their...
October 23, 2009

FDA Research Involving Nanoscale Materials

This memorandum outlines research being sponsored, conducted, or planned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding nanoscale materials. FDA has indicated repeatedly that it needs additional information on the characterization of such materials to make informal decisions regarding the safety of regulated products that incorporate nanotechnology.1 While those decisions are for the most part in the future, there is at least one use of nanotechnology in drug and cosmetic products...
October 22, 2009

James V. Aidala Will Speak at Pesticide Regulation Conference

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to announce that James V. Aidala will be speaking at the November 3-4, 2009, Pesticide Regulation Conference in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference will feature keynote talks by Steve Owens, the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, and Debbie Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs, on their priorities for pesticide regulation under the Obama...
October 22, 2009

James V. Aidala Will Speak at Pesticide Regulation Conference

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. is pleased to announce that James V. Aidala will be speaking at the November 3-4, 2009, Pesticide Regulation Conference in Crystal City, Virginia. The conference will feature keynote talks by Steve Owens, the Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances, and Debbie Edwards, Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs, on their priorities for pesticide regulation under the Obama...
October 20, 2009

EPA Posts Prepublication EDSP Federal Register Notices

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has posted two prepublication Federal Register notices concerning its Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP).  In the first notice, EPA announces the EDSP Tier 1 battery of assays and availability of test guidelines for conducting the assays included in the battery.  In the second notice, EPA announces the issuance of the initial EDSP screening orders and the schedule of issuance.  EPA expects both notices to be...
October 16, 2009

USDA Proposes Voluntary Labeling Program for Biobased Products

Earlier this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed a voluntary labeling program for biobased products and solicited comment on its approach.  Under the proposed labeling program, manufacturers and vendors could, after obtaining certification from USDA, market the certified biobased product using the “USDA Certified Biobased Product” label.  The proposed program would also apply to other entities, such as trade associations, that wish to use the label to...