On July 27, 2023, the United Nations (UN) published an electronic version of the tenth revision (Rev 10) of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) available for free for consultation purposes. The amendments to the ninth revision of the GHS (Rev 9) include the classification procedure for desensitized explosives (Chapter 2.17); the use of non-animal testing methods for classification of health hazards, in particular: skin corrosion/irritation...
August 23, 2023
TSCA New Chemical Coalition Comments Included in Bloomberg Article “Plastic Waste Chemicals Rule Spurs Criticism of EPA by All Sides”
Comments submitted by The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) New Chemicals Coalition (NCC) regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed regulations to control health risks from chemicals made with waste plastic were featured by Bloomberg in a August 23, 2023 article. [o]ther trade groups told the EPA its rules “would hinder development of advanced recycling projects and progress towards a more circular plastics economy.” The heat generated through the molecular...
The International Bar Association (IBA) 2023 Annual Conference brings together legal professionals worldwide to meet, share knowledge, build contacts and develop business. The Agriculture and Food Section (AFS), chaired by Lynn L. Bergeson, President, Acta is supporting the "Antimicrobial resistance regulation in the context of one health: how legislation can help reduce AMR" session on October 31, 2023, and the "Biodiversity - our life source, not...
August 23, 2023
Lynn L. Bergeson Quoted in “US EPA extends planned PFAS enforcement scheme to users” by Chemical Watch
On August 23, 2023, Chemical Watch quoted Lynn L. Bergeson, President, The Acta Group (Acta®) regarding a new enforcement effort announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) imposing liability for PFAS pollution that would target not only manufacturers, but also users of the persistent substances. Lynn Bergeson, managing partner at Bergeson & Campbell, said: "What you don’t know may hurt you, so be PFAS-aware and understand every...
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced in the August 16, 2023, issue of ECHA Weekly that to support substitution toward safer chemicals, it has published information on the main alternatives to substances requiring authorization under Annex XIV of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. ECHA notes that companies applying for an authorization under REACH must provide information on potential alternatives to the Annex XIV...
August 22, 2023
Karin F. Baron Quoted in “Lawyers urge industry to prepare for Chile’s first chemical reporting deadline next year” by Chemical Watch
On August 22, 2023, Chemical Watch quoted Karin F. Baron, MSPH, Director of Hazard Communication and International Registration Strategy with The Acta Group (Acta®) regarding preparing for notification deadlines as Chile’s Ministry of Environment (MMA) is set to begin compiling a national inventory of chemicals from August next year. That includes determining which substances are considered hazardous and require registration/notification, said Karin Baron,...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a webinar on September 6, 2023, on its new framework (the Framework) for addressing new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and new uses of existing PFAS under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). According to EPA, the Framework outlines EPA’s planned approach when reviewing new PFAS and new uses of existing PFAS to ensure that, if allowed to enter into commerce, they will not be...
August 17, 2023
Health Canada Begins Consultation on Proposed New Requirements for Consumer Chemical Products under the CCPSA
Health Canada has begun a consultation on a proposal to introduce new requirements for consumer chemical products under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). Health Canada states that many substances found in consumer chemical products, like household cleaning products, have been linked to human health hazards of concern (HHHOC) such as carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxicants. The proposed new requirements include the introduction of classification criteria for...
August 16, 2023
Lynn L. Bergeson, “EPA Rolls Out New PFAS Framework,” Chemical Processing, August 16, 2023.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 29, 2023, a new regulatory framework for addressing new per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and new uses of existing PFAS. The framework outlines the EPA’s planned approach when reviewing these chemicals to ensure that, before they are allowed to enter commerce, they meet the safety standard under Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This article explains the significance of this development....