Chemical product innovation drives sustainability, circularity, and green chemistry and energy. Without new chemical technologies and predictable access to market entry, none of the aspirational commitments to a circular economy is possible. Ironically, evolving chemical technologies and the industries these technologies serve are among the most scrutinized and regulated, and the least amenable to predictable market access trajectories. To innovate and operate successfully under the watchful public and regulatory eye, companies need to be able to advocate effectively, communicate persuasively, and manage nimbly complex scientific, legal, and policy issues.
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.’s (B&C®) legal, scientific, and government affairs professionals possess the requisite skill set needed to represent effectively client matters before legislative entities, administrative agencies, and public advocacy groups. With our team in Washington, D.C., and our network of corporate affiliates in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia, we can assemble multidisciplinary response teams for matters requiring timely action. With professional backgrounds from congressional committees and relevant regulatory agencies to global chemical producers and processors, we develop effective, client-focused strategies to navigate complex legal, regulatory, scientific, and public policy processes.
What We Do
B&C advocates on an enormous range of chemical technologies and chemical product approvals and support. These technologies drive dozens of essential industry sectors, including e-batteries, semiconductors, renewable energy, next-generation coatings, textiles, and dozens of others.
We assist clients with positioning their technologies strategically to optimize efficient market entry and sustained growth. We do this by thoroughly understanding the science behind the product, using the law to promote and protect our clients’ innovations, and anticipating and addressing potential regulatory, legal, and/or optical challenges that may arise. We leverage our unique perspective on problem solving to prepare our clients for interaction with all levels of regulatory and legislative bodies to ensure successful outcomes. We do this by:
- Developing Client-Focused Solutions
- Thoroughly understanding our clients’ corporate cultures, their innovations, challenges, role in the supply chain, and desired commercial outcomes
- Developing Consortia to Achieve Shared Advocacy Goals
- We optimize the adage “strength in numbers” and form when necessary efficient and targeted industry consortia to leverage resources and achieve results efficiently
- Working nimbly across the political spectrum to identify areas of common ground, achieve change, and foster relationship-building
- We work hard to build relationships and trust. Our team of professionals is deeply respected and known for its commitment to excellence and to the highest standards of legal and scientific advocacy
Our Experience
B&C’s public policy professionals bring a wealth of experience and decades of relationships across the political spectrum. Our team’s skill set is based on extensive government experience, including executive branch agencies, legislative committees, the private sector, and multidisciplinary expertise. B&C professionals have worked in high-level positions in relevant federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), key congressional committees (e.g., House Committee on Energy and Commerce), and global companies. We work hard to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholder constituencies, including nongovernmental organizations, research organizations, top-flight global consultancies, and thought leaders that can be essential partners in advocacy efforts.
James V. Aidala brings years of experience in senior government positions at EPA, closing his time there as the Assistant Administrator for what is now EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), after spending almost a decade on Capitol Hill in a variety of pesticide and chemical regulatory issues. While at EPA, Mr. Aidala led the team charged with drafting (and shepherding enactment of) the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., is a 17-year veteran of EPA, where he served as a senior staff scientist in EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). He participated in policy development efforts related to emerging technology areas under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), including green chemistry, biobased chemicals, and biotechnology.
Lynn L. Bergeson has been working on industrial and agricultural chemical policy issues for over 30 years. She has worked extensively on TSCA reform; emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, and synthetic biology; and the application of legal and governance systems to these emerging technologies. Her work has brought her to Capitol Hill, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and other governance and standard-setting bodies on chemical policy and management issues.
Mark J. Washko provides clients with an extraordinary depth of experience in policy advocacy and government affairs. Mr. Washko’s exceptional skills have been honed over a 30-plus-year career guiding efforts for global Fortune 500 companies, trade associations, law firms, and on Capitol Hill. His understanding of the legislative process and mastery of strategic advocacy communications are powerful assets for clients seeking the best possible policy outcomes.
Representative Engagements
- B&C regularly assists clients with chemical product approvals under TSCA, hastening their commercialization and diminishing manufacturing and use limitations based on compelling product advocacy.
- B&C successfully obtained from EPA a written clarification of policy interpretation that saved a client over $900,000 in a commercial dispute between pesticide registrants.
- B&C persuaded EPA that its interpretation of certain food tolerance requirements was incorrect, which otherwise would have eliminated all uses of a client’s product. The product continues to be available on the market and is flourishing.
- B&C has engaged regulatory officials to consider in their evaluation of a pending matter the most recent scientific information. Those recent developments were key to the client’s position.
- B&C routinely advises clients on how best to approach officials at all levels of regulatory bodies to ensure that the most accurate scientific information and legal arguments are incorporated into pending decisions.
- B&C routinely prepares and submits comments on pending proposals by federal agencies concerning specific client products or more general policy or regulatory proposals about which clients have identified an interest.