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On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The final rule was signed on Feb. 7, 2024. New NAAQS standards are always controversial, and this one is no exception. ...
March 21, 2024
EPA Issues Draft Risk Evaluation for Formaldehyde, Preliminarily Finds That Formaldehyde Poses Unreasonable Risk to Human Health
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 15, 2024, the availability of and solicited public comment on the 2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde prepared under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). 89 Fed. Reg. 18933. EPA states that it “preliminarily finds that formaldehyde poses unreasonable risk to human health. The risk evaluation notes that these risks may not apply to everyone, everywhere and describes some of the sources of uncertainties in EPA’s...
Chemical Watch presents Product Sustainability USA, a two-day conference focusing on the most recent developments around sustainability for the chemical industry and its downstream users, and how corporate and product sustainability is being shaped to achieve a safe circular economy. Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., will present “TSCA – driver or barrier to sustainable chemistry?”...
Register now to attend in-person or virtually the complimentary “TSCA Reform – Eight Years Later” conference, presented by Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute, (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. Panelists will dive into key hot topics, including chemical prioritization and risk evaluation, risk management, new chemical review, Section 21 petitions and other TSCA provisions available to third parties,...
HCPA’s Mid-Year Meeting focuses on the public policy issues that impact the household and commercial products industry. Thought leaders will discuss legislative and regulatory issues, information related to product registrations, sustainability, industry trends, and so much more. B&C is a proud sponsor....
The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) GlobalChem Conference brings together professionals, government representatives, subject matter experts, and vendors to review the recent developments in domestic and global chemicals management. Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., will present during the New Chemicals session on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. B&C is a proud sponsor....
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued a press release on March 13, 2024, to outline how the Scientific Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will progress in evaluating the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. As reported in our February 13, 2023, memorandum, the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden submitted a proposal to restrict more than 10,000 PFAS under the...
On February 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new methodology for detecting 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers. According to EPA, the method can accurately identify PFAS contamination at levels as low as 0.002 parts per billion (ppb) (or 2 parts per trillion (ppt)). EPA states that in releasing this method to the public, it “is enabling the industries that utilize HDPE containers,...
March 5, 2024
EPA Amends Risk Management Program Requirements to Protect At-Risk Communities from Chemical Accidents
On March 1, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule” (SCCAP Rule), amending the Risk Management Program (RMP) “to further protect vulnerable communities from chemical accidents, especially those living near facilities in industry sectors with high accident rates.” The rule implements sweeping amendments to the RMP. It reflects the culmination of three public hearings, many comments on EPA’s proposed rule...
AUSTRALIA Final Guidance On Environmental Claims Includes Principles To Guide Business: On December 12, 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), an independent Commonwealth statutory authority, announced eight principles intended to help businesses ensure their environmental marketing and advertising claims “are clear and accurate, and do not mislead consumers.” ACCC states that the principles comprise its final guidance on...