June 1, 2018

Global Regulatory Update for June 2018

AUSTRALIA Australia Updates HCIS, Including Amended GHS Classifications: Safe Work Australia (SWA) announced on May 9, 2018, that it completed an update of the Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS), a web-based system that provides information on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) classifications, as well as workplace exposure standards. The update incorporates classification...
May 31, 2018

Christopher R. Bryant Quoted By Bloomberg Environment Regarding EPA’s New Definition of Solid Waste

On May 31, 2018, Christopher R. Bryant, Senior Regulatory Specialist, The Acta Group (Acta®), was quoted in the Bloomberg Environment article “EPA Backs Recycling Formerly ‘Hazardous’ Materials, But States Get Final Say.” This quote was also featured as the “Quote of the Day” in Bloomberg Environment’s daily First Move email. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new definition of solid waste “allows more material—like...
May 30, 2018

EPA Issues Immediately Effective Rule Amending RCRA Definition of Solid Waste

Responding to July 2017 and March 2018 orders issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 30, 2018, issued a final rule revising the Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 83 Fed. Reg. 24664. In a somewhat unusual move, EPA relied upon Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to make the rule immediately effective and dispensed with notice and public...
May 29, 2018

Richard E. Engler, Ph.D, Quoted In Bloomberg Environment Article “Trade Secrets Safe Under EPA Science Proposal, Attorneys Say”

On May 29, 2018, Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, The Acta Group (Acta®), was quoted by Bloomberg Environment regarding a proposed rule that would require scientific data be sufficiently available to the public so that interested parties could understand how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reached its conclusions. “[D]ecisions the EPA makes about whether to allow new chemicals into commerce would largely be unaffected, Richard Engler, a...
May 23, 2018

Bloomberg Environment Quotes Lynn L. Bergeson In “Erik Baptist to Help Run EPA’s Chemicals, Pesticides Offices”

On May 23, 2018, Bloomberg Environment quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, President, The Acta Group (Acta®) regarding Erik Baptist, senior deputy general counsel, joining EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) as a deputy assistant administrator and senior counsel.  Other regulatory offices within the EPA have attorneys to help them, Lynn Bergeson, managing partner with the Washington, D.C., office of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., told Bloomberg...
May 23, 2018

The TSCA New Chemicals Coalition: Why Your Company Should Join

Any company that plans to submit or has pending a new chemical notification under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) needs to join the TSCA New Chemicals Coalition (TSCA NCC) -- the only coalition focused principally on TSCA Section 5 issues. The TSCA NCC has been relentlessly engaging with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Congress on identifying and addressing real-world issues arising out of EPA’s...
May 23, 2018

Proposition 65: Three Months until Effective Date for OEHHA’s Amended Proposition 65 Clear and Reasonable Warnings Requirements

There are approximately three months until the effective date of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) revisions to its Proposition 65 (Prop 65) Article 6 “clear and reasonable warnings” regulations. By August 30, 2018, companies must comply with the revised regulations for consumer products, occupational, and environmental exposures. Companies that have not already revised warnings to comply with the new requirements must now review...
May 11, 2018

EPA Will Send Final Methylene Chloride Rule to OMB “Shortly”

On May 10, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced several upcoming actions on methylene chloride. Under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, EPA is required to perform risk evaluations on the uses of ten specific chemicals, including methylene chloride. According to EPA, it is nearing completion of problem formulations for these first ten chemicals. EPA’s announcement states that it will send a final methylene chloride rule to the...
May 7, 2018

James V. Aidala Quoted In Inside EPA Article “Pruitt’s Science Plan Faces Host Of Legal Hurdles; Some Doubt Promulgation”

On May 7, 2018, James V. Aidala, Vice President, Policy and Government Affairs with The Acta Group (Acta®), was quoted by Inside EPA regarding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s plan to require EPA to only use publicly available material to justify regulatory decisions. Others raise concerns over the document's introduction of a host of new terms, many of which are undefined. For example, the industry law firm Bergeson and...
May 7, 2018

Lisa M. Campbell to Moderate FIFRA Enforcement & Compliance Panel at New Developments in Pesticide Law and Policy Conference

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and The Acta Group (Acta®) are pleased to announce that on May 8, 2018, Lisa M. Campbell, Partner, will moderate the “FIFRA Enforcement & Compliance” panel at the New Developments in Pesticide Law and Policy conference.  This conference is hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy and Resources (ABA SEER) and CropLife America, and will cover crop protection issues in the United States and...