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The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) signaled on June 29, 2018, its intent to prepare a “programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) in connection with potential changes to the regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered [(GE)] organisms.”  The EIS will have a significant impact on how APHIS chooses to amend its regulation of GE...

On July 17, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened a public hearing on the proposed rule “Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science.” Stakeholder testimony was scheduled for the three sessions: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) attended the morning session. A few takeaways from the meeting include: The proposed rule, issued on April 30, 2018, originally had a comment...

Available On-Demand – TSCA At 2: An Update On Implementation And Hot Topics: A recording of “TSCA at 2: An Update on Implementation and Hot Topics,” the third webinar in the 2018 Chemical Policy Summit Series, is now available. This webinar featured news and updates on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) implementation from Nancy B. Beck, Ph.D., D.A.B.T.®, Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution...

On July 12, 2018, Bloomberg Environment quoted James V. Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with The Acta Group (Acta®) regarding Acting Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Andrew Wheeler’s experience with the chemical regulatory landscape.  The EPA’s new acting administrator is more familiar than past agency heads were with the nation’s primary chemicals statute, giving him insight into tensions arising in...

On July 12, 2018, Bloomberg Environment included comments from James V. Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with The Acta Group (Acta®) regarding difficulties that the Trump administration may face in nominating a head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)  chemicals and pesticides office after a difficult confirmation process caused the former nominee, Michael Dourson, to withdraw. Beck could be a candidate for the assistant...

On June 19, 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) published a press release announcing the availability of a final report entitled Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology. According to the National Academies, the final report concludes that “[s]ynthetic biology expands the possibilities for creating new weapons — including making existing bacteria and viruses more harmful — while decreasing the time required to...

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...

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...

On June 25, 2018, Bloomberg Environment included quotes from The Acta Group (Acta®) affiliate Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®)’s “TSCA at 2: An Update on Implementation and Hot Topics” webinar in the article “Chemical Companies Get Flexibility in Data Submissions, May Cut Costs.” The EPA will start asking chemical manufacturers to provide certain types of health, ecological, or other data for new chemicals instead of directing them to conduct specific tests of...

On June 25, 2018, Bloomberg Environment included quotes from The Acta Group (Acta®) affiliate Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®)’s “TSCA at 2: An Update on Implementation and Hot Topics” webinar in the article “New Chemical Reviews, Regulations Said to Impede Commerce.” The growing number of rules that are accompanying new chemicals is causing marketplace problems, said Michael Gould, environmental, health, and safety committee chairman with RadTech North...