June 28, 2018

EPA Releases Final Strategic Plan to Promote the Development and Implementation of Alternative Test Methods Within the TSCA Program

On June 22, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Strategic Plan to Promote the Development and Implementation of Alternative Test Methods Within the TSCA Program.  Development of the Strategic Plan was required under Section 4(h)(2)(A) of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act with a deadline of not later than two years after enactment.  Release of the final Strategic Plan occurred on the second anniversary of enactment of...
June 26, 2018

EPA Issues Guidance on Creating Generic Names for Confidential Chemical Substance Identity Reporting under TSCA

Bergeson & Campbell P.C. (B&C®) will present a webinar regarding confidential business information (CBI) as related to chemical regulation on September 18, 2018. Register for “TSCA Confidential Business Information and Generic Naming: Analyzing the New Rules” online.  This webinar is part of the 2018 Chemical Policy Summit Series presented by B&C and Bloomberg Next. On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance intended...
June 25, 2018

EPA Publishes Final Reporting Requirements for TSCA Mercury Inventory

On June 22, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a prepublication version of the final rule regarding reporting requirements for applicable persons to provide information to assist in the preparation of an “inventory of mercury supply, use, and trade in the United States,” where “mercury” is defined as “elemental mercury” and “a mercury compound” (mercury). Section 8(b)(10)(B) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as amended by the Frank...
June 22, 2018

EPA Celebrates Anniversary of Lautenberg Act by Releasing Final CBI Guidance, Animal Testing Strategy, and Final Mercury Reporting Rule

On June 22, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has met its statutory responsibilities under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg Act) to release guidance and policy on confidential business information (CBI), a strategy to reduce animal testing, and a final mercury reporting rule. As noted in our June 29, 2016, memorandum, “TSCA Reform: EPA Publishes First Year Implementation Plan,” the Lautenberg Act...
June 21, 2018

EPA Issues Final Guidance on Points to Consider When Preparing TSCA New Chemical Notifications

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on June 20, 2018, guidance intended “to improve transparency with the public and with companies seeking Agency review of their new chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).” EPA states that the guidance, entitled Points to Consider When Preparing TSCA New Chemical Notifications (Points to Consider Guidance), “promotes early engagement and communication, and enhances overall understanding of EPA’s...
June 8, 2018

EPA Will Add 13 Specific Nonylphenol Ethoxylates to EPCRA Toxics Release Inventory

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 7, 2018, that Charlotte Bertrand, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, signed a final rule that will add a category of 13 specific nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). EPA states that this addition “ensures the most up-to-date information is easily accessible to the...
June 7, 2018

New York Launches Disclosure Program Intended to Protect Consumers from Chemicals in Household Cleaning Products

In somewhat of a surprise announcement, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on June 6, 2018, released its final policy and form for manufacturer disclosures under the Household Cleansing Product Information Disclosure Program. The Disclosure Program is similar to the recently enacted California Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2017 which requires the disclosure of cleaning product ingredients by way of website or product label. The Household...
June 5, 2018

EPA Takes “Three Important Steps” Intended to Ensure Chemical Safety

On June 1, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it took “three important steps” intended to ensure chemical safety under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg Act), which amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  EPA released the following for public comment:  (1) the first ten problem formulation documents, (2) EPA’s systemic review approach document, and (3) a significant new use rule (SNUR)...
May 30, 2018

EPA Issues Immediately Effective Rule Amending RCRA Definition of Solid Waste

Responding to July 2017 and March 2018 orders issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 30, 2018, issued a final rule revising the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 83 Fed. Reg. 24664. In a somewhat unusual move, EPA relied upon Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to make the rule immediately...
May 23, 2018

Proposition 65: Three Months until Effective Date for OEHHA’s Amended Proposition 65 Clear and Reasonable Warnings Requirements

There are approximately three months until the effective date of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) revisions to its Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Article 6 “clear and reasonable warnings” regulations. By August 30, 2018, companies must comply with the revised regulations for consumer products, occupational, and environmental exposures. Companies that have not already revised warnings to comply with the new requirements must now review their consumer...