Because of the decrease in trade barriers, better transportation, and communication, the world has become a smaller place and an easier place to conduct business. Based on market demand, many companies are expanding into the world market and becoming multinational, in which many of the laws for conducting business are varied particularly in the area of applicable chemical management laws, i.e., industrial chemicals. Since The Acta Group (Acta®) clients come from these communities, we too, are global. We help our clients function optimally in all jurisdictions in which they market and/or place products upon the market to remain competitive.
What We Do
Acta helps clients to best position themselves in the face of regulatory initiatives and proposals, as well as regulations requiring product approval. We have successfully managed a wide range of chemical and chemical product issues in jurisdictions across the globe for a variety of clients. Our global legal services include:
- Client-Generated Objectives –
- Draft and assist foreign counsel in submitting comments on pending regulatory proposals concerning client-specific products
- Work with local foreign counsel to defend products in cancellation proceedings
- Develop strategies to approach effectively government agencies, such as the EC, European Union (EU) Member States, and China, on client matters
- Government-Generated Policies –
- Design responses to specific regulatory requirements or directives
- Assist in drafting comments for agencies’ decision-making records
Our Experience
Acta professionals bring a wealth of experience in working with legal and other professionals across domestic and international jurisdictions. Heading up global efforts are Acta professionals who not only have the global contacts, but they also have the underlying knowledge and experience to guide and/or coordinate matters taking place across jurisdictions.
Lynn L. Bergeson has been working on industrial and agricultural chemical policy issues for over 20 years. She has worked extensively on Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reform, emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, biotechnology, and synthetic biology, and the application of legal and governance systems to these emerging technologies. Her work has brought her to Capitol Hill, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and other governance and standard-setting bodies on chemical policy and management issues. Ms. Bergeson has worked extensively with law firms and lawyers in Europe, Asia, and South America. These trusted professionals are highly qualified in the same “niche” practice areas in which Acta professionals practice.
Lisa M. Campbell similarly has worked with European and South American lawyers and professionals on agricultural chemical and biocidal products for years. These established relationships are invaluable when needed quickly to protect a client’s interests in a particular product line that is at risk due to a legal, regulatory, or legislative crisis in a foreign jurisdiction.
Representative Engagements
- Acta worked with EU counsel to file the first — and successful — appeal in association with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation on behalf of a client.
- Working in conjunction with an industry association, we obtained desired clarity on procedural aspects of an EU process and also engaged appropriate EC and Member State personnel to assist with process, classification, and trade issues.
- Acta partnered with EU counsel to work cooperatively with the EC on behalf of an industry association. The effort ultimately resulted in a successful legal action against the EC enabling the continued commercialization of a product that otherwise would have been extinguished.
- Our professionals successfully coordinated advocacy discussions with a client and appropriate Chinese authorities to address a chemical regulatory issue.