DTSC Requests Public Comment on Another Draft of the Green Chemistry Regulations
California Green Chemistry Regulations: The saga of California’s nascent Green Chemistry program continues. Last week, the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released the revised text (PDF) of its proposed Safer Consumer Product Regulations. The comment period for the revisions started on January 29 and closes on February 28, 2013. Notably, the revised rules significantly […]
EPA Announces Proposed Revisions to FIFRA Minimum Risk Exemption
FIFRA: In a December 31, 2012 Federal Register notice, (77 Fed. Reg. 76,979) EPA announced a new proposed rule that would revise the labeling requirements for minimum risk pesticide products. The proposed rule affects section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”) by changing how minimum risk pesticides are identified on product […]
New EPCRA TRI Website
EPCRA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI): On November 19, 2012, EPA rolled out a new website to provide information on how industrial facilities are preventing releases of chemicals. The site shows how industry is making progress in reducing releases reported under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (ECPCRA). The site and additional information about the […]
FTC Publishes Revised Green Guides
Green Marketing: On October 2, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published long-awaited revised guidelines, known as the Green Guides, to aid marketers in properly making environmental benefit claims. The FTC released its final revisions after a multiyear investigatory process, which included marketing surveys as well as reviewing comments from companies, trade organizations, government entities and […]
EPA to Post List of Chemicals Acceptable for DfE-labeled Products
Design for the Environment (DfE) / Green Chemistry: EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) team announced today that, in September, it will post on the agency’s website a list of chemicals that are acceptable for use in DfE-labeled products. Questions or comments about the proposal should be submitted to EPA by August 24, 2012. The contact at […]
OSHA Requests Public Comment on Extending the Information Collection Requirements in the Cadmium in General Industry Standard
OSHA: On March 6, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a Federal Register notice (77 FR 13359), requesting public comments concerning its proposal to extend the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) approval of the information collection requirements set out in the Cadmium in General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1027). The proposal […]
Environmental Advocates Want Disclosure of Chemicals in Consumer Products
Chemicals in Consumer Products: Researchers at the Silent Spring Institute argue that the findings of their consumer product evaluation illustrate the need for full disclosure of ingredient information. The Institute tested consumer products — ranging from toothpaste to laundry detergent — for compounds identified as either endocrine disruptors or asthma-related. Most products evaluated by the […]
France to require mandatory reporting of nanoscale materials in 2013
Nanotechnology: France will implement a compulsory declaration scheme for the quantities and uses of nanoparticle substances or nanomaterials produced in, distributed in, or imported to France January 1, 2013. Information about material identity, quantity, uses, and users will be required from all companies producing, distributing and importing nanomaterials, and public and private research laboratories. The […]
US EPA and California DTSC Form Green Chemistry Partnership
Sustainable Products/Green Chemistry: On January 12, 2012, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announced their Green Chemistry Partnership. The agencies’ agreement is memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines principles by which the agencies will cooperate to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products, create new business opportunities in the […]
Department of Interior to Issue Rules Requiring Disclosure of Chemicals Used in Fracking
Right-to-Know/Transparency: According to Reuters, on Monday, October 31, 2011, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI), David Hayes, told the Department of Energy’s shale-gas advisory panel that DOI will issue rules “in a couple of months” requiring the disclosure of the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” on federal lands. Fracking is the controversial technique that involves injecting a mixture of water, […]