Entries by Verdant Law

Expedited action chemicals: EPA posts guidance on requesting risk evaluation.

Seven chemicals will be subject to the expedited action provision of the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) unless manufacturers nominate them for risk evaluation by September 19. However, the scope of the risk evaluation will not be limited even if the manufacturer requests evaluation of only certain uses. EPA recently posted online guidance interpreting […]

California refers five chemicals to Prop. 65 Carcinogen Identification Committee.

This week, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced that five chemicals, including methyl chloride and vinyl acetate will be considered by the Proposition 65 Carcinogen Identification Committee (CIC) at its November 15, 2016 meeting. The chemicals or chemical groups are: Aspartame Asphalt and Asphalt Emissions Associated with Road Paving and Asphalt and […]

CPSC petitioned over labeling requirements for paint strippers containing DCM.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is accepting public comments on a petition requesting that the Commission revise its Statement of Interpretation and Enforcement Policy regarding labeling household products containing methylene chloride (Policy Statement). As discussed in a Federal Register notice published today, the petition from the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance (HSIA) asks that the CPSC expand […]

Science advisors urge EPA to complete 1-BP risk assessment.

The Chemical Safety Advisory Committee is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to complete and publish its risk assessment of 1-bromopropane without delay, due to “the high risks of adverse effects” in occupational and consumer use scenarios that have already been evaluated. In meeting minutes [PDF] submitted to EPA last week, some Committee members commented that […]

EPA proposes updates to SNUR regulations on workplace protection and hazard communication.

On July 28, EPA published a proposed rule updating the Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) regulations, which implement section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In announcing the proposal, EPA emphasized the need to harmonize regulations based on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for respiratory protection and hazard communication, which have both […]

First new chemical determinations released by EPA under amended TSCA.

Last Friday, the U.S. EPA issued its first regulatory determinations for new chemical substances under the newly amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA published premanufacture notices (PMNs) for four new chemicals, concluding that all four were “not likely to present an unreasonable risk” to human health or the environment. The decision means that manufacturers […]

First Priority Products listing proposed under CA’s Safer Consumer Products program.

Today, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announced that the comment period is now open for the first Priority Product listing regulation under the state’s Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program. The proposed regulation would establish a Priority Products list containing one item: children’s foam-padded sleeping products containing tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) or tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). Both […]

Lautenberg Act: EPA releases Implementation Plan and other resources.

Following President Obama’s signing, last week, of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, EPA has begun to roll out a variety of resources to help stakeholders understand this update to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Today, EPA posted its Implementation Plan for the Lautenberg Act, a “roadmap of major activities […]

President Obama to sign Lautenberg Act tomorrow.

The White House has announced that on Wednesday, June 22, President Obama will sign into law the “Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act,” the long-awaited update to the 40-year-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Senate passed the Lautenberg Act by voice vote on June 6, two weeks after the House […]

CPSC: No mandatory recall for Lumber Liquidators.

Last week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Committee (CPSC) declined to issue a mandatory recall but announced that Lumber Liquidators has agreed to not sell its inventory of laminate wood flooring imported from China. The announcement marked the end of the CPSC’s investigation of Lumber Liquidators, which was prompted by a March 2015 segment on […]