In January 2021, EPA published the final rules for five Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) chemicals. The public comment period for these rules is open until May 17, 2021. The five PBT chemicals are: Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) Phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)) 2,4,6-Tris(tert-butyl)phenol (2,4,6-TTBP) Hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD) Pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP) DecaBDE is used as an additive […]
In February 2021, EPA announced the Agency’s commitment to strengthening science used in chemical risk evaluations. EPA stated the Agency will continue to update its systematic review approach and its broader efforts to review the first 10 TSCA risk evaluations. The first 10 TSCA risk evaluations were complete in January 2021. Following the review of […]
In January 2021, OEHHA announced a proposal to make changes to use the of the short-form Proposition 65 warnings. These changes restrict when a manufacturer would be allowed to use the short-form. Previous use of the short-form warning label had “no limitation on using the short-form warning on larger products”. The only requirement was that […]
In February 2021, EPA announced that the Agency issued a “stop sale” order to Amazon in relation to unregistered pesticides and disinfectants. This is the third stop sale order Amazon has been issued by EPA and brings the list of products in the stop sale order from 30 to 70. The first stop sale order […]
EPA is now allowing companies to include a QR code or website link on their product labels to provide information on inert ingredients. As of this publication date, this option is only available for antimicrobial pesticide products. Providing this additional information is strictly voluntary for companies, with exception on a case-by-case basis for where it […]
In December 2020, Amazon announced they will avoid the intentional addition of chemicals in certain products in their U.S. and EU market. These restrictions concern Amazon’s food contact packaging. The chemicals targeted have carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive, and other toxicant properties. Amazon also focused on chemicals that are persistent and bioaccumulative. The chemicals on the restricted […]
The 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) addresses PFAS in several ways. Sections 330 and 334 incentivize developers to create and promote additional alternative firefighting foam to replace the PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam. Section 332 establishes an interagency body on PFAS research and development. The interagency group will have representatives from at least 19 different […]
On October 19, 2020, a California appeals court ruled in favor of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) listing bisphenol A (BPA) as a chemical known to cause cancer or reproductive harm under Proposition 65. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) had attempted to prevent BPA from being added to the Proposition 65 list. […]
An October 6, 2020 Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) between EPA and Electrolux Home Products, Inc. resulted in Electrolux agreeing to pay nearly $7 million. EPA settled FIFRA violations in relation to the import and distribution of Electrolux dehumidifiers and air conditioners containing a filter manufactured with nanosilver. Although the products made pesticidal claims, […]
On October 14, 2020, EPA received a petition to require health and environmental testing under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on certain PFAS manufactured by Chemours in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The petitioners consist of the Center for Environmental Health, the Cape Fear River Watch, Clean Cape Fear, Democracy Green, Toxic Free […]
