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On October 18, 2018, Inside EPA quoted Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, The Acta Group (Acta®), regarding Acta affiliate Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.'s (B&C®) memorandum “EPA Proposes SNURs that Break New Ground under Amended TSCA.” Industry attorneys are welcoming the agency's approach, suggesting it sets a precedent for future agency action. “The proposed SNUR is interesting, important, and controversial, as this is the first time under...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on October 16, 2018, a proposed rule that would establish significant new use rules (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 13 chemical substances that are the subject of premanufacture notices (PMN).  83 Fed. Reg. 52179.  The proposed rule is significant.  Unlike other recent SNURs (i.e., those acted on since entry into force of amended TSCA), the 13 chemical substances...

On October 16, 2018, Inside EPA quoted The Acta Group (Acta®) affiliate Bergeson & Campbell P.C.'s (B&C®) memorandum “EPA Issues Final TSCA Fees Rule” in the article “EPA finalizes TSCA fees rule but legal challenges possible.” A Sept. 28 memo from the law firm Bergeson & Campbell notes that “the final rule will apply to all submissions that are received starting October 1, 2018. EPA stated that it will invoice affected companies within...

Now more than ever, chemical industry stakeholders with shared business and advocacy interests are urged to consider collaborating on regulatory, testing, and related advocacy opportunities. Two years post-passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is well underway with implementation of the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).    Industry groups that are already established and...

As part of Amazon’s commitment to responsible sourcing, Amazon has posted its chemicals policy, which includes its first Restricted Substance List (RSL). Amazon states that it defines chemicals of concern as those chemicals that: (1) meet the criteria for classification as a carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive, or other systemic toxicant; or (2) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. Amazon “strategically prioritize[s] which chemicals of concern to focus on based on product...

On October 8, 2018, Lynn L. Bergeson, President, (The Acta Group®), moderated “Sustainable Investment in Agriculture: Improving Agricultural Land Investment Contracts and the Contracting Process” at the legal profession’s largest international event, the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference held this year in Rome, Italy. Ms. Bergeson is Vice Chairman of IBA’s Agricultural Law Committee. Panelists Katherine Cook, Matrix Chambers; Marsha A Echols, Howard...

On September 28, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the general approaches that the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) may use to identify potential candidate chemicals for prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA notes that it will seek public comment on the approach document and on which chemicals should be identified as potential candidates for the initial 20 high-priority and 20 low-priority chemicals that must be...

On September 29, 2018, Lynn L. Bergeson, President, The Acta Group (Acta®), and President-Elect of the Product Stewardship Society (PSS) moderated the closing session, “Drivers of Product Stewardship: The Role of Regulations, Private Governance, and Managing,” at the 2018 Product Stewardship Conference in Washington D.C. This conference addressed global safety, environmental, and regulatory challenges by bringing together prominent professionals to present and discuss global emerging...

Webinar: Chemical Regulation in the Middle East Available On-Demand The Acta Group’s (Acta®) Senior Regulatory Consultant Michael S. Wenk, M.S. presented in mid-September an engaging, content-rich webinar on the emerging chemical regulatory initiatives underway in the Middle East, with a focus on Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Oman, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. If you missed the live webinar, you...

On September 27, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final fees rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The final rule largely tracks the proposed rule. In its press release, EPA states that the fees collected from chemical manufacturers “will go toward developing risk evaluations for existing chemicals; collecting and reviewing toxicity and exposure data and other information; reviewing Confidential Business Information (CBI); and making...