On November 28, 2016, the Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions rule was published in the Federal Register and is effective as of December 31, 2016. This rule impacts thousands of entities that export and/or import shipments of hazardous wastes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is strengthening its standards to comport with requirements in place for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries, to respond to recommendations issued by...
The Acta Group (Acta®) President Lynn L. Bergeson contributed a chapter to the recently published book Nanotechnology: Delivering on the Promise, a two-volume American Chemical Society (ACS) symposium report that discusses advances in nanotechnology and the value of precautionary risk management. These volumes cover advances nanotechnology has made with materials, energy, electronic devices, agriculture, and biomedicine, as well as the regulatory response to these new technologies. Ms....
On December 8, 2016, President-Elect Donald Trump confirmed his intention to nominate Oklahoma Attorney General (AG) E. Scott Pruitt to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Rumors about Mr. Pruitt’s nomination have been circulating for some time, but his nomination was confirmed via a Facebook post. Mr. Pruitt has been the Oklahoma AG since November 2010. Mr. Pruitt received a B.A. from Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky, in Political Science and...
December 7, 2016
Oscar Hernandez and Jim Aidala Quoted in “Risk Limits Under New Toxics Law May Continue Past Practice”
On December 7, 2016, the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quoted Oscar Hernandez, Ph.D., Senior Regulatory Chemist with The Acta Group (Acta®), and Jim Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with Acta, regarding how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will handle the new toxics law. Typically, the agency takes action on chemicals whose risks range between 1 in 10,000 excess cancer cases to 1 in 1 million excess cases. “They’d have to...
December 2, 2016
Bloomberg BNA Daily Environmental Report Quotes Lynn L. Bergeson in “EPA Proposal Threatens Confidentiality, Chemical Makers Say”
On December 2, 2016, Lynn L. Bergeson, President of The Acta Group (Acta®), was quoted in the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environmental Report on how proposed changes to significant new use regulations would change the way confidential business information is handled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Bergeson & Campbell P.C. law firm summarized a position voiced throughout the trade association comments. “As currently drafted, the proposed modifications would...
December 1, 2016
Brexit — An Overview of Transformative Developments and Their Potential Impact on European Chemical Laws
On June 23, 2016, more than 30 million people voted in a referendum to decide whether the United Kingdom (UK) should “Leave” or “Remain” in the European Union (EU). The referendum turnout was 71.8 percent and the Leave Campaign won by 52 percent to 48 percent, making “Brexit” an important and imminent probability with potentially significant implications for a range of stakeholders, including the chemicals industry. The following statement from current UK Prime Minister...
The Acta Group extends its best wishes to our clients and many friends and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year. As we have for many years, the firm has made a contribution to the House of Ruth, a shelter for battered women and their children, in lieu of gifts to our clients, and on our clients’ behalf. ARGENTINA Argentina Establishes “Take Back” Regulation For Pesticide Containers: On October 11,...
November 30, 2016
Lynn L. Bergeson and Charles M. Auer Discuss Changes to EPA’s New Chemicals Program
On November 30, 2016, the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environmental Report included comments by Charles M. Auer, Senior Regulatory and Policy Advisor with The Acta Group (Acta®), and Lynn L. Bergeson, President of The Acta Group, in the article “Groans Heard About Pace EPA’s New Chemical Reviews.” The EPA appears to be making changes to the new chemicals program beyond what the law mandated, Charles Auer, former director of the EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention...
November 30, 2016
“Trump Views on Chemicals Law Not Yet Known: Policy Watchers” Quotes James V. Aidala, Charles M. Auer, and Lynn L. Bergeson
On November 30, 2016, Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quoted Jim Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with The Acta Group (Acta®), Charles M. Auer, Senior Regulatory and Policy Advisor with Acta, and Lynn L. Bergeson, President of Acta, on impacts the Trump Administration may have on chemical laws. “It’s very hard to know what the thinking is other than on big issues,” such as energy and water, Jim Aidala, a senior government affairs...
November 28, 2016
DTSC Calls for Input on Next Potential Priority Products
On November 15, 2016, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) held a webinar to provide an update on its progress and seek input from stakeholders regarding the selection of the next set of Priority Products under the Safer Consumer Products Regulations (SCPR). A recording of the webinar will be uploaded by DTSC to its workshops web page when available. The webinar is the first step in implementing DTSC’s 2015-2017 Priority Product Work...