July 30, 2008 CRC Press Publishes Nanotechnology and the Environment
The Acta Group, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that CRC Press has published Nanotechnology and the Environment, which Lynn L. Bergeson co-authored. Nanotechnology and the Environment includes a general explanation of nanomaterials, their properties, and their uses; describes the processes used to manufacture nanoscale materials; furnishes information on the analysis of nanomaterials in the environment and their fate and transport, including the effects of wastewater treatment on nanomaterials; discusses possible risks to human health and the environment; and describes developing regulations to manage those risks. Bergeson and her co-authors:
Focus on six of the most common nanomaterials (titanium dioxide, zero valent iron, silver, carbon black, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes) to provide a cohesive presentation of issues;
Follow those materials from their manufacture and use to their fate and transport in the environment and possible consequences of exposure;
Discuss frameworks, such as life cycle analysis, for evaluating the balance between risk and reward as nanomaterials are manufactured, used, and released to the environment; and
Describe regulations evolving around the world as a basis for regulatory compliance and control of possible risks.
Nanotechnology and the Environment may be purchased at CRC Press.
July 10, 2008
The Good, the Bad, and the Tiny
The Acta Group, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that an article in the July 2008 ABA Journal discusses the work of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) analyzing the legal framework for addressing issues relating to nanotechnology. Lynn L. Bergeson was Section Chair while the first phase of the "Nano Project" was completed, and leads the Section's efforts in this regard. The article discusses legal issues relating to the increasing use of nanotechnologies.
June 19, 2008 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The Chambers USA Guide
We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been included in The Chambers USA Guide for 2008. The USA Guide is based on over 14,000 in-depth interviews with clients and attorneys. Chambers & Partners then ranked the top firms and attorneys and described their merits -- often in the words of clients they interviewed. Rankings include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The rankings and editorial comment about attorneys are independent and objective, and financial considerations play no part in the research process. The USA Guide states:
Environmental boutique Bergeson & Campbell PC is headed by the "unbelievably bright and astute" Lynn Bergeson, who is widely regarded as “the queen of TSCA law in DC.” Her cutting-edge nanotechnology practice draws hearty praise from both clients and peers, who also commend her “tireless work ethic, passion and energy.” She is well versed in legislative, regulatory and enforcement issues affecting the agrochemical industry and is also skilled at product defense.
May 28, 2008 THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C. AND THE ACTA GROUP EU, LTD FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH RPA
Alliance Will Facilitate Acta and Acta EU’s Ability to Provide REACH Services
The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta) and The Acta Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU) are pleased to announce they have entered into a strategic alliance with Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (RPA). The alliance will facilitate Acta and Acta EU’s ability to provide targeted services related to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), the European Union’s (EU) chemical management regulation. In total, REACH encompasses over 140 different articles, 17 distinct annexes, almost 300 pages of text, and hundreds of pages of guidance, with the latter figure expected to grow considerably as still more guidance is issued. RPA has a well-recognized expertise in the fields of chemicals policy and chemicals risk management, which will enhance the services offered by Acta and Acta EU. Together, Acta, Acta EU, and RPA offer a full range of REACH consulting services. Acta EU can serve as an Only Representative on behalf of non-EU companies -- manufacturers of substances, formulators of preparations, or producers of articles -- and as a Third Party Representative on behalf of EU entities and data holders that wish to participate in a particular Substance Information Exchange Forum. RPA has expertise in Chemical Risk Assessment and Analysis, including, but not limited to, supply chain communication, development of exposure scenarios, socio-economic assessments, and related services required in the preparation of dossiers under REACH.
January 25, 2008 Preparation for REACH, State Legislation Likely to Consume Chemical Industry's Time Lynn L. Bergeson is quoted in an article in the January 23, 2008, issue of the Daily Environment Report regarding the federal and state legislative outlook for 2008.
January 18, 2008 The Challenge of Regulating Nanomaterials Lynn L. Bergeson is quoted in an article in the January 15, 2008, issue of Environmental Science & Technology regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) clarification that nanomaterials are not considered new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
January 9, 2008
Environmental Quality Management Wins Apex Award
We are pleased to announce that Environmental Quality Management recently won the 2007 APEX Award of Excellence for its “Regular Departments and Columns,” including Lynn L. Bergeson’s Washington Watch column. APEX is sponsored by the editors of Writing That Works, a newsletter for communicators who write, edit, and manage business publications. The APEX Awards Competition is open to communicators in corporate, nonprofit, and independent settings, including companies, freelancers, advertising and communications agencies, associations, national, regional, state/provincial, city, and local government agencies, and other public and private institutions.
January 8, 2008 Data Sought by EPA on Chemicals Nominated for Treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants Lynn L. Bergeson is quoted in the January 7, 2008, issue of the Daily Environment Report regarding the prospects of legislation to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to allow the Senate to ratify the Stockholm Convention.
December 18, 2007 Comments Don't Sway EPA Decision to Cancel Organic Arsenical Herbicides
The December 17, 2007, issue of Pesticide & Toxic Chemical News quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) intent to cance the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registrations for the organic arsenicals.
November 6, 2007 ELI Publishes Nanotechnology Deskbook
We are pleased to announce that the Environmental Law Institute
(ELI) has published the Nanotechnology Deskbook, which Lynn
L. Bergeson co-authored. ELI provides the following
description of the Deskbook:
Nanotechnology promises to have far reaching impacts
on the economy, including offering technological advances
in pollution control. While over 200 products that use
nanomaterials are already in the marketplace, minimal
data exist on the health and environmental effects of
nanomaterials. This poses significant questions for
companies, regulators, consumers, and lawyers.
The Nanotechnology Deskbook guides the reader through
the application of existing law and regulations to nanomaterials
by exploring domestic laws and regulations and considering
developments in the international context. It includes
a focus on special business considerations when this
technology is involved and concludes by discussing the
development of an effective environmental governance
structure for nanotechnologies that protects human health
and the environment without stifling the development
of this new field.
November 5, 2007 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The
International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyers 2008 We are pleased to announce
that Lynn L. Bergeson has
been included in The International Who’s Who
of Environment Lawyers 2008. Bergeson, who is included
in the breakdown of “most highly regarded individuals
-- global,” is described as “one of the finest
chemicals regulation lawyers in the country.” Bergeson’s
practice is described as “second to none,” and
her litigation and compliance work are also singled out.
The publication is based on research, including conversations
with private practice lawyers of repute in the practice
area in question or in related fields, as well as with
general counsel. The individuals and firms they recommend
are then canvassed using questionnaires. Who’s Who
Legal then collates the returned data with information
obtained from legal and financial media and respondent
corporate counsel. A preliminary listing is distributed
to all lawyers who were mentioned during the research.
Telephone and face-to-face interviews are conducted internationally
to refine the listing to a selection of between 200 and
600 lawyers who, by general agreement, are considered
the pre-eminent lawyers in the field.
Who’s Who Legal sets a high nomination threshold
for inclusion in The International Who’s Who
of Environment Lawyers. Only those lawyers who have
met the independent research criteria are recommended
and listed. Financial considerations play no part in the
research and selection process.
October 26, 2007 Application of Four Laws to Nanotechnology
Being Studied by Bar Association Project
The October 25, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the Nanotechnology Project
of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment,
Energy, and Resources (SEER). In the second phase of the
Project, SEER is examining how the Food Quality Protection
Act (FQPA), Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA),
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) could be applied to nanotechnology.
August 30, 2007 Defense-Related Uses of Chemicals Have
Limited Exemptions Under REACH
The August 29, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the need for military contractors
to understand the defense-related uses of chemicals exempted
from the European Union's (EU) Registration, Evaluation,
and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH). Bergeson stated: "Military
applications historically and globally have been afforded
significant deference. What we may be seeing is a move to
pull back on this latitude. Under REACH, there may well
be a rebuttable presumption that chemicals are covered absent
a very compelling basis providing otherwise. The fact that
a particular application is military does not necessarily
mean what it used to under other regulatory programs."
August 27, 2007 Some see big issues in tiny technology
The August 27, 2007, issue of the National
Law Journal quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the recent report by the Food
and Drug Adminstration (FDA) Nanotechnology Task Force.
According to Bergeson, there is a need for more information
that would inform the judgment of the decision-makers within
FDA, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
August 1, 2007 Dr. Plamondon Will Speak at REACH Program
We are pleased
to announce that Joseph E. Plamondon,
Ph.D., who works for both Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
(B&C) and The Acta Group, L.L.C., a B&C consulting
affiliate, will be speaking at the International Coatings
Expo (ICE) on October 4, 2007. Dr. Plamondon is participating
in a one-day program on the Registration, Evaluation,
and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) legislation, which
took effect in the European Union on June 1, 2007. Dr.
Plamondon’s presentation is entitled “Treatment
of Confidentiality Issues under REACH and Their Impact
on the Coatings Industry.” More
information on ICE and an advance registration form are
available here.
July 31, 2007 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in 2008 Edition
of The Best Lawyers in America®
We are pleased to announce that Lynn
L. Bergeson will be included in the 2008 edition of The
Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty of
Environmental Law. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding
attorneys by conducting exhaustive and rigorous peer-review
surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially
evaluate their professional peers. Best Lawyers also conducts
thousands of telephone interviews with leading attorneys
throughout its balloting process. Financial considerations
play no part in the research and selection process.
July 26, 2007 Report on Nanotech Draws Quick Reaction, Calls for Additional
Resources for FDA
The July 26, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report quotes
Lynn L. Bergeson regarding
the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Nanotechnology
Task Force's report. Bergeson notes that the report says
FDA has sufficient authority to oversee products such
as drugs and food additives, but that FDA will have a
harder time obtaining information about cosmetics and
dietary supplements, which FDA does not review before
they are sold.
July 16, 2007 EPA Proposals for Engineered Nanomaterials Spur Support,
Frustration Among Parties
The July 16, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report quotes
Lynn L. Bergeson regarding
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) description
of its approach to defining a new or existing nanoscale
chemical. According to Bergeson, EPA's draft proposal "is
a thoughtful, temperate, balanced approach that sets the
right tone for further discussions on these important
issues."
June 25, 2007 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The
International Who’s
Who of Business Lawyers
We are pleased to announce that Lynn
L. Bergeson has been included in The
International Who’s Who of
Business Lawyers for 2007.
Bergeson, who is listed in the Who’s Who for the third time and is included
in the breakdown of environmental “stars” for
the second time, is described as “a real go-getter
in the chemical regulatory field.” The publication
is based on research, including conversations with private
practice lawyers of repute in the practice area in question
or in related fields, as well as with general counsel.
The individuals and firms they recommend are then canvassed
using questionnaires. Who’s Who Legal then collates
the returned data with information obtained from legal
and financial media and respondent corporate counsel.
A preliminary listing is distributed to all lawyers who
were mentioned during the research. Telephone and face-to-face
interviews are conducted internationally to refine the
listing to a selection of between 100 and 500 lawyers
who, by general agreement, are considered the pre-eminent
lawyers in the field.
Who’s Who Legal sets a high nomination threshold
for inclusion in The International
Who’s Who of
Business Lawyers. Only those lawyers who have met the
independent research criteria are recommended and listed.
Financial considerations play no part in the research
and selection process.
June 6, 2007 Experts Suggest TSCA 'New Use' Rule to Define Nanotech
Universe
The June 5, 2007, issue of Inside
EPA's Risk Policy Report describes the proposal
by Lynn
L. Bergeson and Joseph
E. Plamondon to exclude nanomaterials that
essentially function like non-nanomaterials or traditional
chemicals from a significant new use rule.
June 5, 2007 Consumer Reports Says FDA Needs Authority
To Review Nanoscale Ingredient Safety Data
The June 5, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the nanotechnology report in
the July 2007 issue of Consumer
Reports. Bergeson states that while it might be good
if legislation mandated that manufacturers prove their products
are safe rather than having to wait for government to prove
they pose a risk, it also may be unrealistic.
May 21, 2007 Web-Based Map Identifies Organizations,
Companies Involved With Nanotechnology
The May 21, 2007, issue of the Daily
Environment Report notes that Lynn
L. Bergeson describes the interactive web-based map
developed by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies as
easy to use.
May 21, 2007 Environmental Group Accuses Government
of 'Gross Failure' on Nanotechnologies
The May 21, 2007, issue of Chemical
Regulation Reporter quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the Natural Resources Defense
Council's report entitled Nanotechnology's
Invisible Threat: Small Science, Big Consequences.
Bergeson said NRDC's recent contribution to the discussion
of the many benefits and potential risks is appreciated,
and raises interesting issues, many of which have been raised
before.
May 8, 2007 Rodenticide Update: What's Next?
The March 2007 issue of PCT quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson regarding the concerns of the Rodenticide
Registrants
Task Force with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
proposed
rodenticide risk mitigation measures, which are "excessive,
unlawful,
lacking factual merit and, in a word, dangerous."
April 30, 2007 BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C. ANNOUNCES
NANOTECHNOLOGY LAW BLOG Blog Will Report U.S. and International
Regulatory and Legal Developments Involving Nanotechnologies
and Nanomaterials
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) is pleased to
announce that its nanotechnology law blog is now available
at http://nanotech.lawbc.com.
B&C will update its blog with weekly and more frequent
news items and documents, reporting on federal, local,
and international regulatory, legal, and policy developments
involving nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. Users may
sign up to receive e-mails of new posts to the blog at http://nanotech.lawbc.com/subscribe.html.
B&C has made a concerted effort to be in the forefront
of the science policy debate involving nanotechnologies
and other emerging technologies. Lynn
L. Bergeson counsels clients on health, safety,
science policy, and related legal and regulatory aspects
of nanotechnology and emerging transformative technologies,
and on more traditional chemical product approval matters.
Ms. Bergeson served in 2004 and 2005 on the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) Nanotechnology Standards Panel
(NSP) Steering Committee and is now a member of the ISO
Technical Committee 229 on Nanotechnologies. Ms. Bergeson
also serves on the President’s Council of Advisors
on Science and Technology (PCAST) Nanotechnology Technical
Advisory Group (PCAST nTAG) and on the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s (EPA) Steering Committee for
the Pollution Prevention through Nanotechnology Conference.
Ms. Bergeson also serves on the Executive Committee of
the Environmental Law Institute’s (ELI) Board of
Directors. Ms. Bergeson is Immediate Past Chair of the
American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment,
Energy, and Resources, and serves in other ABA leadership
positions and headed the Section’s efforts in 2006
to analyze the legal authority available to EPA under
existing federal environmental statutes to address potential
issues arising in connection with applications on nanotechnology.
See http://www.abanet.org/environ. Ms. Bergeson is a member
of the Converging Technologies Bar Association (CTBA),
Board of Directors and Chair of the CTBA Environmental,
Health, and Safety Committee. Recent publications include:
TSCA and Engineered Nanoscale Substances, Nanotechnology
Law and Business (2007) (co-author); The Nanotechnology-Biology
Interface: Exploring Models for Oversight, Center for
Science, Technology & Public Policy, University of
Minnesota (2006) (co-author); “Pesticides, Chemical
Regulation, and Right-to-Know: 2005 Annual Report -- The
Risks and Benefits of Nanoscale Materials,” in Environment,
Energy, and Resources Law: The Year in Review 2005, ABA
(2005); Selected Challenges in Applying Toxicogenomic
Data in Federal Regulatory Settings, Proceedings of Workshop
on Genetics and Environmental Regulation (2005) (co-author); “Pesticides,
Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know: 2004 Annual Report” in
Environment, Energy, and Resources Law: The Year in Review
2004, ABA (2004); The RCRA Practice Manual, ABA (2004);
The TSCA Basic Practice Book, ABA (2000); The FIFRA Basic
Practice Book, ABA (2000); Pesticides Law Handbook, Government
Institutes (1999); Avoiding Liability for Hazardous Waste:
RCRA, CERCLA and Related Corporate Law Issues, Bureau
of National Affairs, Corporate Practice Series (1999);
Chapter 7 -- Liability, Environmental Law Practice Guide,
Matthew Bender (1992); and The Expanding Scope of Liability
for Environmental Damage and Its Impact on Business Transactions,
The Corporation Law Review (Spring 1985).
April 17, 2007 Wall Street Reporter Interviews Lynn
L. Bergeson
The Acta Group, L.L.C. is pleased to announce that
Wall Street Reporter interviewed Lynn
L. Bergeson on April 16, 2007, regarding regulatory
developments concerning nanoscale materials.
April 11, 2007 BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C. ANNOUNCES
LYNN L. BERGESON WILL SPEAK AT NANOBUSINESS 2007 Bergeson Will Speak About Regulatory
Developments and Emerging Issues in Nanotechnology
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) is pleased to
announce that Lynn L. Bergeson will
speak about regulatory developments and emerging environmental
health and safety issues in nanotechnology at the Sixth
Annual NanoBusiness Alliance Conference in New York City.
Ms. Bergeson will speak on Sunday, April 15, 2007.
B&C, which is a proud co-sponsor of the Conference,
has made a concerted effort to be in the forefront of
the science policy debate involving nanotechnologies and
other emerging technologies. Ms. Bergeson and other professionals
at B&C counsel clients on health, safety, science
policy, and related legal and regulatory aspects of nanotechnology
and emerging transformative technologies, and on more
traditional chemical product approval matters. Ms. Bergeson
serves on the President’s Council of Advisors on
Science and Technology (PCAST) Nanotechnology Technical
Advisory Group (PCAST nTAG). She also serves on the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Steering
Committee for the Pollution Prevention Through Nanotechnology
Conference. Ms. Bergeson served in 2004 and 2005 on the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Nanotechnology
Standards Panel (NSP) Steering Committee and is now a
member of the ISO Technical Committee 229 on Nanotechnologies.
Ms. Bergeson serves on the Executive Committee of the
Environmental Law Institute’s (ELI) Board of Directors,
and is Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association
(ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, serves
in other ABA leadership positions, and leads the Section’s
efforts to identify the legal authority available to the
federal government to regulate nanotechnology under existing
federal statutes and other legal authority. See http://www.abanet.org/environ.
Ms. Bergeson is a member of the Converging Technologies
Bar Association (CTBA), Board of Directors and Chair of
the CTBA Environmental, Health, and Safety Committee.
Recent publications include: TSCA and Engineered Nanoscale
Substances, Nanotechnology Law and Business (2007) (co-author);
The Nanotechnology-Biology Interface: Exploring Models
for Oversight, Center for Science, Technology & Public
Policy, University of Minnesota (2006) (co-author); “Pesticides,
Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know: 2005 Annual Report
-- The Risks and Benefits of Nanoscale Materials,” in
Environment, Energy, and Resources Law: The Year in Review
2005, ABA (2005); Selected Challenges in Applying Toxicogenomic
Data in Federal Regulatory Settings, Proceedings of Workshop
on Genetics and Environmental Regulation (2005) (co-author); “Pesticides,
Chemical Regulation, and Right-to-Know: 2004 Annual Report” in
Environment, Energy, and Resources Law: The Year in Review
2004, ABA (2004); The RCRA Practice Manual, ABA (2004);
The TSCA Basic Practice Book, ABA (2000); The FIFRA Basic
Practice Book, ABA (2000); Pesticides Law Handbook, Government
Institutes (1999); Avoiding Liability for Hazardous Waste:
RCRA, CERCLA and Related Corporate Law Issues, Bureau
of National Affairs, Corporate Practice Series (1999);
Chapter 7 -- Liability, Environmental Law Practice Guide,
Matthew Bender (1992); and The Expanding Scope of Liability
for Environmental Damage and Its Impact on Business Transactions,
The Corporation Law Review (Spring 1985).
March 6, 2007 FORMER EPA OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
LAWYER TIMOTHY D. BACKSTROM JOINS
BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C. Former EPA Attorney
Brings Extensive Experience in Pesticide and Air Quality
Issues
Timothy D. Backstrom, former attorney for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of General Counsel,
has joined Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Tim Backstrom has a distinguished career in government
service. While in EPA’s Pesticides and Toxic Substances
Division of the Office of General Counsel, he was responsible
for negotiations with paint and coating manufacturers,
which led to the elimination of mercury compounds used
in paints and coatings. Tim also supervised extensive
litigation involving the chemical dinoseb, including nine
federal court actions and four formal administrative adjudications.
While in EPA’s Air and Radiation Division, Tim
managed complex litigation involving hazardous air pollutants
(HAP) and fuel additives. He also worked on a variety
of rulemakings implementing the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments,
including issuance of various emission standards for HAPs,
delisting of particular HAPs and source categories, and
review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Tim was also EPA’s
lead counsel in the lawsuit that led to settlement of
the omnibus litigation concerning the general provisions
for HAP emission standards and individual emission limitations
adopted by permit.
Tim holds an undergraduate degree in environmental science
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a J.D.
with honors from Yale Law School.
February 1, 2007 EPA Regulates Nano Product, Not Nano
Industry
The January/February 2007 issue of Small
Times quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to review
the Samsung silver ion generating washing machine as a device
under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act.
January 17, 2007 2007 Outlook: REACH, New Regulations
in U.S. States Suggest Volatile Year for Manufacturers
The January 17, 2007, issue of BNA's Daily
Environment Report quotes Lynn
L. Bergeson and Jim Aidala regarding
global chemical regulation issues in 2007. Bergeson commented
on the Congressional oversight hearings expected to be held
on the Toxic Substances Control Act, stating: "Given
the election results, which at the moment leave both houses
of Congress in Democratic control, EPA is bracing itself
for almost certain congressional 'investigations,' inquiries,
oversight hearings and requests, and related interventions." Aidala
commented on the challenge of passing legislation that would
allow the United States to ratify the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), the POPs Protocol
to the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution,
and the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides
in International Trade.
December 4, 2006 Life Plus LLC forms strategic alliance with Washington,
D.C.-based consulting firm
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. and WASHINGTON, D.C., December
4, 2006 — West Lafayette-based Life Plus
LLC announced today it has entered into an exclusive collaborative
partnership with Washington, D.C.-based
The Acta Group LLC to provide expertise on Asia's biotechnology-related
product registration process.
The Acta Group is a consulting affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell,
P.C., a leading Washington, D.C., law firm
that assists with product approval and regulation, product
defense and associated business issues for a large
number of clients in several countries with chemical control
laws.
As a Purdue Research Park-based company that specializes
in regulatory approval support services (i.e.
compiling supporting toxicology data packages, including
expert statements, literature reviews and risk
assessments), Life Plus will collaborate with The Acta
Group to control the spiraling costs and inefficiencies
experienced by clients seeking regulatory approval to
commercialize new chemical technologies, as well as
products of biotechnology, nanotechnology and medical
devices.
"Life Plus' affiliation with several Chinese toxicology
labs provides an advantage to clients by improving the
speed of mandatory testing in Chinese labs and by reducing
the testing costs, which can exceed several
hundred thousand dollars," said Mark Cisneros, Ph.D.,
president and CEO of Life Plus, which has been
successful in its efforts to gain regulatory approvals
for chemical and medical device technologies attempting
to enter the Chinese marketplace.
"Bergeson & Campbell's and its affiliate's chemical
regulatory practice is best-in-class and broadly focused,
and this collaboration with Acta will allow Life Plus
to offer services in new regulatory areas — such
as
agrochemicals and nanotechnologies — to our expanding
client base," Cisneros said.
"We take a multidisciplinary approach in assisting
our clients, partnering with toxicological, chemical,
engineering, economic, and other experts on individual
matters as necessary to achieve results effectively
and efficiently," said Lynn L. Bergeson, president
of The Acta Group and a founding member of Bergeson &
Campbell, P.C. "We chose Life Plus because the company
has an outstanding reputation in delivering a fullservice
offering to clients interested in commercializing new
chemical technologies in the Asian marketplace."
About Life Plus, LLC
With headquarters at Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette,
Ind., and operations in Beijing, China, Life
Plus LLC offers regulatory
guidance and trade development support to firms
throughout the world. The company's customer-focused
philosophy has generated valuable results for clients,
including the first successful navigation of a new substance
notification through the Chinese's new chemical
control law. Purdue Research Park is one of the largest
business/science parks in the country and home to
companies developing technologies discovered at the
Birck Nanotechnology Center, the cornerstone for
Purdue University's $300 million Discovery Park. Within
Purdue Research Park, 140 businesses, of which
more than 90 are high-tech, employ more than 2,900 people.
October 24, 2006
THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C., ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH
OF ITS UK OFFICE, THE ACTA GROUP EU, LTDUK Center to “Fast-Track” Regulatory
Response
The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta) is pleased to announce
the launch of its UK-based consulting affiliate, The Acta
Group EU, Ltd (Acta EU). Acta EU focuses on chemical product
approval, support, and regulatory defense to help industry
tackle the intimidating landscape of increasing chemical
regulation in the region.
Acta EU has opened an office near Manchester, UK, with
a team of specialists in product registration, regulatory
issues, and toxicology as a center of expertise for industry.
The company’s experience covers the industrial chemical,
agrochemical, biocide, biotechnology, and nanotechnology
sectors and also medical devices.
“Regardless of a product’s efficacy and economics,
our industry’s biggest challenge in developing new
markets and supporting existing portfolios are regulatory
issues. One mistake can sink a project in a moment,” comments
Lynn Bergeson, the head of Acta in Washington, D.C. and
an attorney who has more than 20 years of experience in
this sector.
The company already works with many U.S.-based chemical
manufacturers and product formulators, and expansion into
the European market has been prompted in part by the increasing
challenges international businesses encounter in the European
Union (EU) markets -- most recently the EU’s REACH
regulatory framework (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization
of Chemicals).
“The spiralling costs and inefficiencies of regulatory
systems make Europe an intimidating landscape in which
to operate. Our role is to navigate through this minefield
and get products to market more quickly and defend existing
positions for our customers,” she added.
The Acta EU regulatory team provides project management
to fast-track product approval and registration, and to
build support and defense packages for product portfolios.
Toxicology specialists compile supporting data packages,
including literature searches, reviews, and risk assessments.
Julie Dodd, regulatory manager of Acta EU, commented, “We
have expertise in the EU and a wealth of experience to
draw on from our colleagues in the U.S. We aim to form
a focal point for chemical and related industries to tackle
the regulatory issues together, efficiently. The REACH
framework is going to put this requirement to the top
of the agenda for many companies marketing in Europe,” she
said.
In addition to assisting industry with REACH, Acta EU
focuses on supporting the registration and approval of
industrial chemical and agrochemical products and defending
existing product approvals in the EU review process. Nanotechnology
is an important, emerging field where Acta EU will work
to support and protect the industry’s operational
flexibility, as authorities begin to develop regulatory
frameworks for the sector.
Acta EU is based at The Heath Technology Park in Runcorn,
near Manchester, in the heart of the UK chemical industry.
Key personnel are listed below:
Dr. Alison Bartlett, Regulatory Manager -- Dr. Bartlett
has worked both as a freelance consultant in document
preparation and for the UK Health & Safety Executive
as a Regulatory Toxicologist, preparing and appraising
industrial chemical hazard and risk assessment documents
produced under the ESR, OECD, NONS, and related industrial
and agricultural chemical programs. Dr. Bartlett received
her BSc. (Hons) in Biomedical Technology from Sheffield
City Polytechnic and received her Ph.D. from Liverpool
John Moores University in QSAR of the Immunotoxicity of
beta-lactam antibiotics, sponsored by Glaxo SmithKline.
Julie Dodd, Regulatory Manager -- Ms. Dodd has broad
experience in providing regulatory and technical services
within the agrochemical industry. As the former European
Regulatory Affairs Officer at United Phosphorus, Ltd.,
she was responsible for global registrations at the local,
country, and EU levels, and was responsible for the preparation
of toxicological, environmental, and agronomy data for
presentation to governmental agencies worldwide. Prior
to United Phosphorus, Ltd., Ms. Dodd was the Study Director
at STL Runcorn, where she managed all aspects of studies
that were conducted to GLP and OSPAR regulations. Ms.
Dodd was also responsible for all aspects of projects
pertaining to ecotoxicity and biodegradation testing of
chemicals. Ms. Dodd received her BSc. (Hons) in Applied
Biology from Liverpool John Moores University.
Steven William Green, Business Development Manager --
Mr. Green has significant experience in sales, marketing,
and project management, as well as significant knowledge
of regulatory systems around the world, including Japan
and China. As the former Marketing Manager of SafePharm
Laboratories, Ltd., Mr. Green assisted in the development
and implementation of the company’s strategies and
identifying new opportunities in the Far East and the
Pacific Rim. Mr. Green graduated from the University of
Teesside and received a Graduateship of the Royal Chemistry
and an MRSC, CIM Advanced Certificate of Marketing from
the University of Derby.
August 28, 2006 HENRY M. JACOBY, MS JOINS
BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C. LAW FIRM AND THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C. AND THE ACTA GROUP, EU, LTD. CONSULTING PRACTICES
Mr. Jacoby Brings Extensive Experience in
Pesticide Product Registration and Arbitration Issues
Henry M. Jacoby, MS, former Branch Chief of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Fate and Ground Water Branch, has joined Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and its consulting affiliates, The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta) and The Acta Group, EU, Ltd. (Acta EU).
Mr. Jacoby has over 34 years of experience in assisting pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, fungicide, antimicrobial, wood preservation, and antifouling paint manufacturers and formulators in the area of environmental science and applications for federal and state pesticide registrations and tolerance petitions. Twenty-five years of his experience were gained at EPA, where he worked in the Office of Pesticide Programs as a Chemist, Product Manager, Senior Staff Member, and Branch Chief. Upon retiring from EPA, Mr. Jacoby joined the consultant firm of Charles, Conn & van Gemert, LLC as Director of Environmental Affairs. In 2001, Mr. Jacoby established his own regulatory consultant business. Mr. Jacoby holds an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from St. Norbert College and an M.S. in Management from Frostburg State University.
Because of his broad registration experience, Mr. Jacoby has been invited to give numerous seminars at major universities in the United States and at scientific and industrial conferences. He has organized national and international symposia for the scientific communities on environmental risk assessments used in registration of pesticides.
July 17, 2006 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The Chambers USA Guide
We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been included in The Chambers USA Guide for 2006. The USA Guide is based on over 10,000 in-depth interviews with clients and attorneys. Chambers & Partners then ranked the top firms and attorneys and described their merits -- often in the words of clients they interviewed. Rankings include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The rankings and editorial comment about attorneys are independent and objective, and financial considerations play no part in the research process. Bergeson is “prominent in the chemicals and pesticide spheres.” In interviews, Bergeson was described as “a delightful person, honest and upfront. When providing legal advice, she is right on the money.”
June 26, 2006
JOSEPH E. PLAMONDON, PH.D. JOINS BERGESON & CAMPBELL,
P.C. LAW FIRM AND THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C. AND THE ACTA
GROUP, EU, LTD. CONSULTING PRACTICES
Dr. Plamondon Brings Extensive Experience in Industrial Chemical Issues
Joseph E. Plamondon, Ph.D., former Director of Regulatory
Affairs for Consortium for Environmental Risk Management,
LLC (CERM), has joined Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and
its consulting affiliates, The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta)
and The Acta Group, EU, Ltd. (Acta EU).
Dr. Plamondon has a long and distinguished career, and is well known in the industrial chemical community. As Director of Regulatory Affairs for CERM, Dr. Plamondon was responsible for research and development and new product development activities. He also provided strategic preparation and submission of premanufacture notifications (PMN) designed to avoid Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) consent orders and other adverse regulations. Prior to joining CERM, Dr. Plamondon was a staff scientist at Keller and Heckman LLP. Dr. Plamondon also brings a wealth of experience from his prior positions with Akzonobel Chemicals, Inc, Technology Sciences Group Inc., and Rohm and Haas Company. Dr. Plamondon holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from Loras College, an M.S. in bio-organic chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Davis.
Dr. Plamondon has presented at many conferences and professional meetings, e.g., the American Chemistry Council’s Global Chemical Regulations Conference (Living with TSCA), among others, and has written extensively on chemical regulatory matters. His most recent article, “The DuPont TSCA Enforcement Action: Implications for the Chemical Industry,” was published in Environmental Quality Management.
June 19, 2006 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been included in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers for 2006. Bergeson, who is listed in the Who’s Who for the second time and is included in the breakdown of environmental “stars” for the first time, is described as “a real go-getter in the chemical regulatory field.” The publication is based on research, including conversations with private practice lawyers of repute in the practice area in question or in related fields, as well as with general counsel. The individuals and firms they recommend are then canvassed using questionnaires. Who’s Who Legal then collates the returned data with information obtained from legal and financial media and respondent corporate counsel. A preliminary listing is distributed to all lawyers who were mentioned during the research. Telephone and face-to-face interviews are conducted internationally to refine the listing to a selection of between 200 and 600 lawyers who, by general agreement, are considered the pre-eminent lawyers in the field.
Who’s Who Legal sets a high nomination threshold for inclusion in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers. Only those lawyers who have met the independent research criteria are recommended and listed. Financial considerations play no part in the research process.
June 19, 2006 Regulating Nanotech Debated: Ensuring Safety Without Stifling Key Innovation
The June 12, 2006, issue of the San Francisco Chronicle quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the need for nanotechnology regulations, in addition to those under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Bergeson states: "EPA is taking a harder look at whether these (regulations) are sufficient, as many believe, or need some tweaks."
May 16, 2006 Firms Making Nanoengineered Pesticides Urged to Meet With EPA Staff on Data Needs
The May 15, 2006, issue of BNA's Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could use the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to regulate nanoengineered pesticides.
May 16, 2006 The Nanotechnology-Biology Interface: Exploring Models for Oversight
The workshop report for the University of Minnesota's Center for Science, Technology & Public Policy's September 15, 2005, workshop entitled "The Nanotechnology-Biology Interface: Exploring Models for Oversight" includes a summary of Lynn L. Bergeson's presentation regarding safety concerns and governance systems. The report is available on the university's website.
April 20, 2006 The Chemistry Is Right for Democrats
The March/April 2006 issue of The Environmental Forum quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the adverse effects to the chemical industry of inferences drawn from biomonitoring data.
February 22, 2006 Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyers We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been included in The International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyers, an extract from the 2006 edition of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers. Bergeson is described as “a real go-getter in the chemical regulatory field.” The publication is based on research, including conversations with private practice lawyers of repute in the practice area in question or in related fields, as well as with general counsel. The individuals and firms they recommend are then canvassed using questionnaires. Who’s Who Legal then collates the returned data with information obtained from legal and financial media and respondent corporate counsel. A preliminary listing is distributed to all lawyers who were mentioned during the research. Telephone and face-to-face interviews are conducted internationally to refine the listing to a selection of between 200 and 500 lawyers who, by general agreement, are considered the pre-eminent lawyers in the field.
Who’s Who Legal sets a high nomination threshold for inclusion on The International Who’s Who of Environment Lawyers. Only those lawyers who have met the independent research criteria are recommended and listed. Financial considerations play no part in the research process.
January 20, 2006
Industry Expects Pivotal Year for Regulation of Chemicals by EU, International Body
In the January 20, 2006, issue of BNA's Daily Environment Report, Lynn L. Bergeson and Jim V. Aidala are quoted regarding the impact the Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) legislation would have U.S. chemical producers and exporters, California's biomonitoring legislation, Congressional priorities, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) activities regarding perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
October 13, 2005 Regulatory Initiatives 'Essential' To 'Facilitate Comfort' With Nanotechnology
In the October 13, 2005, issue of the BNA's Occupational Safety and Health Reporter, Lynn L. Bergeson is quoted regarding the business impacts and considerations surrounding nanotechnology. Bergeson states that the final goal of business certainty "will continue to be elusive and requires public confidence in nanotechnology, other emerging technologies, and products of nanotechnology."
October 11, 2005 Traditional Industries Generate Nanoparticles; Particle Tests May Change Health Priorities
In the October 10, 2005, issue of the BNA's Chemical Regulation Reporter, Lynn L. Bergeson describes the proliferation of federal regulations and nontraditional governmental risk management initiatives to address nanotechnologies expected in coming months and years.
October 3, 2005
The Business of Law Lynn L. Bergeson is quoted in the October 2005 issue of Washington Lawyer in an article entitled "The Business of Law." Bergeson describes the benefits of allowing employees to telecommute.
August 12, 2005 LYNN L. BERGESON ELECTED TO SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION OF ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND RESOURCES
We are delighted to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been elected to serve as Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources for 2005-2006. The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources is the premier forum for lawyers working in areas related to the environment, natural resources, and energy. It represents more than 10,000 members with a wide range of professional interests. Lynn has long been active in the Section and has served in a number of leadership roles for the Section.
Lynn L. Bergeson is Managing Director of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., a law firm concentrating on chemical product approval, regulation, product litigation, and associated business issues. In addition to her service to the American Bar Association, Ms. Bergeson serves on the Board and Executive Committee of the Environmental Law Institute, and serves on the editorial boards of a number of chemical regulatory and environmental publications.
About the American Bar Association
The American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources provides members with opportunities to enhance professional skills, stay on top of developments, and participate in dialogue in these substantive areas. The Section keeps members abreast on developing trends, current court decisions, legislative initiatives, and statutes concerning environmental, natural resources, and energy law.
With more than 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the American Bar Association works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law in a democratic society.
July 25, 2005
JOSEPH A. CONTI TO JOIN
BERGESON & CAMPBELL, P.C. LAW FIRM AND
THE ACTA GROUP, L.L.C. AND THE ACTA GROUP, EU, LTD. CONSULTING PRACTICES
Former Director of Regulatory Affairs for
Bayer Environmental Science
Brings Extensive Experience in Pesticide and Industrial Chemical Issues
Joseph A. Conti, former Director of Regulatory Affairs for Bayer Environmental Science, has joined Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and its consulting affiliates, The Acta Group, L.L.C. (Acta) and The Acta Group, EU, Ltd. (Acta EU). The announcement was made today by Lynn L. Bergeson, a principal of the law firm.
Joe has a long and distinguished career, and is well known in the agricultural and industrial chemical communities. As Director of Regulatory Affairs for Bayer Environmental Science, Joe was responsible for new product and active ingredient registrations and reregistrations at the federal, state, and international levels. Prior to joining Bayer, Joe was Registration Manager and Manager of Microbiology for Lonza, Inc. Joe holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in natural science and biology from Saint Peter’s College and Seton Hall University, respectively, and a Masters of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Joe will provide strategic, business, and policy advice to clients on a broad range of agricultural, industrial, and biological product approval and defense matters involving pesticides, industrial chemicals, and related specialty chemicals and their regulation under federal, state, and international regulatory programs. Joe’s sophisticated understanding of regulatory processes and the agricultural and industrial chemical markets will enhance the deep legal, regulatory, and science policy capabilities that Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and its consulting affiliates, Acta and Acta EU, offer.
July 6, 2004
Lynn L. Bergeson Included in The Chambers USA Guide
We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson has been included in The Chambers USA Guide: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business (USA Guide) for 2005. The USA Guide is based on over 10,000 in-depth interviews with clients and attorneys. Chambers & Partners then ranked the top firms and attorneys and described their merits -- often in the words of clients they interviewed. Rankings include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. The rankings and editorial comment about attorneys are independent and objective, and financial considerations play no part in the research process. In interviews, Bergeson was described as “excellent, pragmatic and effective.”
June 16, 2005
Regulation of Nanoparticles Urged by Nanotechnology Research Firm
In the June 16, 2005, issue of BNA's Daily Environment Report, Lynn L. Bergeson comments on the Lux Research report entitled A Prudent Approach to Nanotech Environmental Health and Safety Risks. According to Bergeson, the report "appears useful and relatively reflective of the views of many in the industry."
April 26, 2005 Researcher Says Makers of Nanomaterials Face Patent Challenges, Possible Regulation
The April 26, 2005, issue of BNA's Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding a voluntary pilot program that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering establishing for nanomaterials. According to Bergeson, EPA will seek comment on various approaches it could take to manage nanomaterials to ensure "regulatory hurdles will be required only if necessary." Bergeson noted that other issues that will define the risks and benefits of nanomaterials include public acceptance, investor acceptance, export controls, patent protection, patent infringement avoidance, and risk communication/insurance.
April 18, 2005 Regulating Chemicals: Concerns regarding REACH, nanomaterials, biomonitoring voiced at GlobalChem meeting
The April 4, 2005, issue of Chemical & Engineering News quotes Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the possibility that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may attempt to use its authority under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and other statutes to control management and disposal of nanomaterials
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