News & Events

Washington, D.C. (June 24, 2013): The Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC) debuted today a new name, logo, and web address to describe more fully and descriptively the wide range of industrial biotechnology products made by its member companies. The consortium is now known as the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group, or BRAG. The new name and logo were previewed last week at the 2013 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) World...

An Inside EPA article reporting on TSCA reform, “Despite States' Rights Push, Key Republican Seeks Preemption Under TSCA,” featured comments made by Kathleen M. Roberts before a House Subcommittee hearing entitled “Title I of the Toxic Substances Control Act: Understanding its History and reviewing its Impact.” “Kathleen Roberts, of the industry law firm Bergeson & Campbell, argued that ‘I would be concerned if there was not a 'least burdensome' aspect in the...

Thursday, June 27, 2013 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (EDT) Join Lynn L. Bergeson, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.; Kathleen M. Roberts, B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C.; Jim Alwood, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT); and Tracy Williamson, Ph.D., EPA's OPPT for an informative, interactive, and lively webinar designed to help you...

Inside EPA featured B&C®’s commentary in an article titled “Early Concerns Hint At Senate Debate Over Bipartisan TSCA Reform Bill.” Read the full commentary, “The Chemical Safety Improvement Act: An In-Depth Review and Analysis,” here....

In an editorial titled “An Opening to Strengthen Chemical Regulations,” the editorial board of the New York Times featured comments from B&C® affiliate Charles M. Auer of Charles Auer & Associates, LLC on the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013, introduced in the Senate to revise the Toxic Substances Control Act: “Charles Auer, a career scientist and senior official at the agency under George W. Bush, has praised the bill for potentially resolving the...

Charles M. Auer, former Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, which is responsible for the implementation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), was quoted in a press release issued yesterday by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding the introduction of S. 1009, the Chemical Safety Improvement Act, historic bi-partisan TSCA reform legislation. Charlie is affiliated with Bergeson & Campbell,...

In a May 21, 2013, article reporting on the Senate’s Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2013 (S. 954) and the House’s Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act of 2013 (H.R. 1947), Daily Environment Report quoted Ms. Bergeson: “‘The House bill would provide only discretionary funding for the programs,’ Lynn Bergeson, managing principal of the law firm Bergeson & Campbell PC, which manages the Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC),...

In an article reporting on “the antimicrobial pesticide data rule released in final form May 8,” Inside EPA Daily News included commentary from B&C®: “Law firm Bergeson & Campbell calls the new rule ‘the first time [EPA] has issued final data requirements specific to antimicrobial products’ but warns that the greater clarity comes with greater costs and time to complete the newly required studies.” Read the full commentary here....

James V. Aidala was quoted in the May 3, 2013, issue of Pesticide and Chemical Policy on the effect on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of a recent decision by the European Commission to restrict use of three neonicotinoids: “‘The pressure on EPA will increase as a result of the European restrictions,’ says James Aidala, senior government consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, and former assistant administrator for EPA’s office of prevention,...

Pesticide and Chemical Policy spoke with James V. Aidala for the article “National Academy Urges Federal Agencies to Adopt ERA Methodology,” in the May 3, 2013, issue and featured the following comment as their “Quote of the Week”: “‘The [NAS report] doesn’t get to the issue of the fact EPA and the [wildlife] services don’t like to play in the same sandbox together,’ — James Aidala, senior consultant, Bergeson & Campbell, and former assistant administrator...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to announce that Jane S. Vergnes, Ph.D., DABT® has joined our team as Senior Toxicologist for B&C and The Acta Group (Acta). Dr. Vergnes has demonstrated outstanding leadership and an agile, multi-disciplinary talent for problem-solving in her 25 years directing global product stewardship and toxicology departments for Ashland, Inc., International Specialty Products (ISP), Texaco, and Union Carbide (now Dow). She is also an...

James V. Aidala was quoted in the April 30, 2013 Pesticide and Chemical Policy Daily News Alert article regarding the European Commission’s decision to more tightly restrict use of three neonicotinoids: " ‘The pressure on EPA will increase’ as a result of the European restrictions, says James Aidala, senior government consultant with Bergeson & Campbell. But whether there will be results remains to be seen. Looking ahead, Aidala and others say...

The April 26, 2013, edition of USA Today featured commentary from Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. Managing Partner Lynn L. Bergeson regarding the release this week by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Current Intelligence Bulletin (CIB) 65 Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Nanofibers: “The industry has been extremely cautious and set high standards for itself, says Lynn Bergeson, who works with the NanoBusiness Commercialization Association, an...

Timothy D. Backstrom was quoted in the April 26, 2013 issue of Pesticide & Chemical Policy: “ ‘This ruling is important for EPA and industry because it disciplines potential plaintiffs into making their allegations about failure to consult in conjunction with a specific registration action, rather than some general notion EPA has ongoing discretionary control over pesticide registrations,’ says Timothy Backstrom, an attorney in the D.C. office of Bergeson &...

“The newly formed Alliance for Chemical Nomenclature (AChN), is comprised of manufacturers and users of fractioned substances as well as manufacturers and users of unknown, variable, complex, or biological substances (UVCBs), who could potentially be affected by EPA enforcement actions now targeting a growing number of companies for alleged reporting violations, according to a March 11 blog post by Kathleen Roberts of B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C., which is affiliated with the corporate...

Pesticide and Chemical Policy quoted Lynn L. Bergeson in their April 12, 2013 Daily News Alert article on the reintroduced Safe Chemicals Act: “The Lautenberg bill is “the same as it ever was ... and offers no changes from what was passed," says Lynn Bergeson. "It is discouraging there is nothing new." But something new could be coming soon, specifically a Republican proposal to revamp TSCA from Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the ranking...

The March 25, 2013, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, Kathleen M. Roberts, and Charles Auer in a special report on EPA’s increased interest in fractions. The article also referenced B&C’s March 11 memorandum on the enforcement effort, and the newly-formed coalition Alliance for Chemical Nomenclature (AChN),...

B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C., an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., is pleased to announce the formation of the Alliance for Chemical Nomenclature (AChN), a coalition that brings together companies and organizations potentially impacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) recent enforcement actions targeting the naming and listing of fractions of existing chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). AChN members are engaged in...

Washington, D.C. (March 20, 2013): The Industry Consortium for Environmental Measurement of Nanomaterials (ICEMN) announced today the release of a series of articles to serve as a practical guide for state and federal regulatory agencies tasked with measuring engineered nanomaterials in the environment. The articles, published in the March 2013 special issue of Environmental Engineering Sciences, were prepared by academic and industrial scientists from ICEMN and focus on the...

ergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) are pleased to announce that BCCM is a proud sponsor of the 2nd Safer Products Summit, which will be held on April 2-4, 2013, in San Francisco, California. The conference will bring together policy makers, leading consumer brands, and green chemistry experts to lay out the framework for complying with California's Safer Consumer Products Regulations....

Reporting on “the proposed significant new use rules (SNURs) for some 37 chemicals including more than a dozen nanomaterials,” Inside EPA included commentary issued by Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.: “In Feb. 26 commentary on the new proposal, the law firm Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. notes that one-third of the substances were subject to premanufacture notice reviews prior to 2010 and that for some materials that review period was more than a decade ago. The commentary...

On February 28, 2013, the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA) and Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) jointly sponsored a workshop on Global Harmonization System (GHS) labeling requirements for agricultural chemicals. The workshop featured speakers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Department of Transportation (DOT), and Lynn L. Bergeson, and explored OSHA's final rule modifying its...

The February 15, 2013, issue of Inside EPA quoted Lynn L. Bergeson extensively. “In lieu of reform legislation clearing Congress, Lynn Bergeson, a TSCA attorney and owner of law firm Bergeson & Campbell, told a recent legal conference that industry lawyers should be closely watching the agency’s first batch of five draft risk assessments, released last month, given that they could serve as an early indication of how EPA’s toxics office will...

The February 14, 2013, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report notes Lynn L. Bergeson “anticipates Lautenberg’s move will not affect the TSCA-reform debate,” in the article “Lautenberg Stepping Down as Chairman Of Panel With TSCA, Superfund Jurisdiction.” “Lautenberg is still a champion of TSCA reform, and will no doubt continue to push for reform. Whether that happens any time soon continues to be doubtful given the lack of...

Washington, D.C. (February 14, 2013) -- The Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC), an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), and the Society for the Commercial Development of Industrial Biotechnology (SCD-iBIO), an affiliate of the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA), announced today the formation of a new alliance to advance the commercialization of industrial biotechnology and biobased products. According to a recently released report from Lux...

The Acta Group (Acta) is pleased to announce the expansion of our international regulatory and registrations capability with the addition of regulatory specialist Hayley J. Clayton, Ph.D., to our European staff. With more than a decade of experience in global chemical development, manufacturing, and transport, Dr. Clayton brings to Acta and our clients a deep understanding of risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and dangerous goods safety, as well as an extensive network of contacts in UK and...

Washington, D.C., December 4, 2012 -- B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C., an affiliate of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and The Acta Group, is pleased to announce the formation of the Biobased Products Advocacy Consortium (B2PAC), an organization that brings together leading innovators in the biobased chemical, biofuel, and renewable energy fields to pursue regulatory and policy advancement. Companies working to produce biobased chemical feedstocks and products have heretofore been...

The November 9, 2012, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson, who suggested that the federal government offer manufacturers incentives and explicit regulatory review process to encourage them to spend money developing more sustainable products....

The November 9, 2012, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson, who stated that “ lack of awareness as to how the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) applies invites business disruption....

Lynn L. Bergeson of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. has published a response to the recent ELR report regarding lessons for the U.S. from the EU's REACH program. Among her recommendations are that U.S. lawmakers consider REACH from a practitioner's perspective rather than from an academic's to learn lessons relevant to U.S. chemicals management, and that lawmakers also consider Canada's Chemical Management Plan. "Comment on Regulating Industrial Chemicals: Lessons for U.S. Lawmakers from the...

November 14, 20121:30 – 3:30 p.m. (EST) Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) is hosting a complimentary webinar on the implications of the election results on federal environmental law and policy. This webinar will focus on the implications of President Obama's reelection and yesterday's Congressional election results, including what policies and initiatives can be expected in the next four years, and how any likely regulatory directions may affect our clients. Speakers include:James V....

In light of the the European Union's (EU) adoption of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) (Regulation (EU) 528/2012), which replaces and repeals the Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) (98/8/EC) for regulating biocidal active substances and biocidal products, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) has updated its memorandum on EU and international data compensation and sharing mechanisms. The BPR entered into force on July 17, 2012, with many new provisions going into effect on September 1,...

November 14, 2012 -- 1:30 p.m. (EST) Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) is pleased to host a video webinar on the implications of the election results on federal environmental law and policy on November 14, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. (EST). This webinar will focus on the implications of the elections, including what policies and initiatives can be expected in the next four years, and how any likely regulatory directions may affect our clients. Lynn L. Bergeson will moderate the...

The October 26, 2012, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report quotes Lynn L. Bergeson, who commented on the letter a coalition of European environmental and consumer advocates sent to the European Commission (EC), urging it to increase regulatory oversight of nanomaterials and mandate data collection....

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) are pleased to announce that Leslie S. MacDougall will speak, Saturday, October 20, 2012, on "Emerging Chemical Regulation Trends in the Asia-Pacific Rim Region" at the Saint Joseph's University's Global Chemical Regulations and Compliance Management Seminar in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This graduate level course will provide an in-depth review of the current international chemical...

The September 21, 2012, issue of Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report describes comments from the Silver Nanotechnology Working Group, filed by the law firm Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., that request that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA defer the start of the registration review on nanosilver until the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) completes an evaluation of new scientific data....

B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) and its affiliate groups, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) and The Acta Group (Acta), are pleased to announce that BCCM is now an associate member of the Toxicology Forum (Tox Forum). The Tox Forum is an international organization focused on addressing problems in toxicology through open dialogue among government, academia, industry, policymakers, and other interest groups. Tox Forum meetings are well-known for robust scientific discussions...

Nanotechnology is poised to be a key driver of economic growth in California in the next decade according to the scientists, government specialists, and international business leaders who spoke at the "Challenges and Opportunities for Businesses Engaged in Nanotechnology" workshop on September 25, 2012. Hosted by the University of California Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology and held at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA, the workshop presented current research...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) unveiled their completely redesigned online presence today. The new websites provide timely, relevant news and updates, as well as detailed descriptions of the practices, people, and expertise that have earned B&C top rankings in Chambers USA. B&C can be found at www.lawbc.com, BCCM at www.bc-cm.com, and Acta at www.actagroup.com. In addition to information about...

The California Nanotechnology Industry Network (CalNIN) wishes to inform you of an important upcoming workshop, "Challenges and Opportunities for Businesses Engaged in Nanotechnology."  The workshop, scheduled for September 25, 2012, is organized by B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) and CalNIN, and is hosted by the UCLA Center for the Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (UC CEIN).  The workshop will be held at the California NanoSystems...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson will chair a session of the first Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) conference, which will be held November 4-6, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The conference will address the critical aspects of sustainable nanotechnology, including lifecycle assessment, green synthesis, green energy, food and agriculture,...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) are pleased to announce that on October 26, 2012, Lynn L. Bergeson will Co-Chair a Practising Law Institute seminar entitled "Chemical Management Laws 2012: Business Opportunity, Public Protection or Barrier to Trade?" The seminar will be held in New York City, New York, and there will be groupcasts in Columbus, Ohio; Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; New Brunswick,...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C), B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM), and The Acta Group (Acta) are pleased to announce that on August 1, 2012, Christopher R. Bryant will speak at the Corporate e-Waste Disposal Summit during the Panel Discussion, "Understanding the Environmental Impact of e-Recycling and Discussing Emerging Take Back Programs in Organizations." The Panel will address benefits of sustainability initiatives (e.g., lowering cost,...

We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson will participate in a panel on "Nanomaterial Safety: Do We Have the Right Tools?," hosted by the American Chemical Society Science & the Congress Project and the Nanotechnology Caucus. The June 27, 2012, panel will discuss whether current laws, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), are adequate to regulate the novel properties of nanomaterials. More information and details on how to...

We are pleased to announce that Lynn L. Bergeson is included in Chambers USA 2012 in environment (band 1). The USA guide is based on thousands of in-depth interviews with clients and attorneys. Chambers and Partners then ranked the top firms and attorneys in bands from 1 to 6, with 1 being the best, and described their merits -- often in the words of clients they interviewed. Rankings include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client...

On May 31, 2012, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.'s consulting affiliate, The Acta Group, participated in a webinar on chemical regulation in China with its joint venture partner Acta-PLS China. Leslie S. MacDougall and Andy Burgess addressed the key elements of chemical control legislation in China, including the new chemical substance notification order, Ministry of Environmental Protection's Order Number 7, and the new decree regarding safe management of hazardous chemicals, State Council Decree...

The Acta Group, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.'s consulting affiliate, is participating in a webinar on chemical regulation in China with its joint venture partner Acta-PLS China on May 31, 2012. Leslie S. MacDougall, Andy Burgess, and Dr. Ya-Juin Chou, Novartis Pharma AG, will address the key elements of chemical control legislation in China, including the new chemical substance notification order, Ministry of Environmental Protection's Order Number 7, and the new decree...

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) and its consulting affiliates, B&C Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) and The Acta Group (Acta), are pleased to announce that the 2012 edition of Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters Service, includes Lynn L. Bergeson on its list of top lawyers in environmental law. To compile the list, Super Lawyers asked lawyers in Washington, D.C., to name the top attorneys. Super...

In light of the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) recent release of Version 2.0 of its Guidance on Data Sharing, which provides assistance to companies placing substances onto the European Union (EU) market under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation (EC regulation 1907/2006), and other developments, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. has updated its memorandum on EU and international data compensation and sharing mechanisms. This...

On March 27-28, 2012, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAA) will host the "International Symposium on Assessing the Economic Impact of Nanotechnology." The Working Party on Nanotechnology (WPN) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in collaboration with the U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), organized the Symposium. Lynn L. Bergeson is on the Steering Committee and will speak at the Symposium. The objective...