Entries by Russell Marks

EPA Launches Stakeholder Outreach Effort to Help Speed New Chemical Reviews

On June 27, 2022, EPA announced its TSCA New Chemical Engineering Initiative.  EPA seeks to increase efficiency and transparency in the new chemical review process by inviting stakeholders to learn more about how the agency evaluates submitted information.  EPA plans to focus the initiative specifically on issues surrounding “engineering” information, including, but not limited to, […]

EPA orders e-commerce platform Wish to stop selling illegal disinfectants

On July 5, 2022, EPA ordered the e-commerce platform Wish (ContextLogic Inc.) to stop selling a variety of unregistered disinfectants on its website, including disinfectant sprays, tablets, and air sterilization cards. EPA’s “Stop Sale” order prevents the company from selling unregistered disinfectants, which is a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). […]

Biological Opinion Proposes Malathion Mitigation Measures

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) nationwide final biological opinion (BiOp) for Malathion has prompted EPA to take steps to protect a number of endangered species that were identified as being threatened by the insecticide.  Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide use on a wide variety of food and non-food crops to kill insects systemically […]

State of Washington Regulates PFAS In Lieu of Cosmetics Ban

A proposal in Washington state has stalled in the state House, after passing their Senate, that would have banned cosmetics that contain phthalates, formaldehyde, and PFAS.   The proposal, Senate Bill 5703, states that legislature finds certain chemicals in cosmetic products to be linked with various negative health effects, such as cancer, birth defects, and damage […]

EPA Takes Steps to Regulate PFAS in Commerce

On March 16, 2022, EPA announced that the Agency would be taking two steps to further regulate PFAS in commerce. First, EPA notified manufactures of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that they are obligated to comply with existing TSCA requirements to prevent unintentional PFAS contamination. Second, EPA stated that the Agency will remove two types of PFAS […]

EPA Releases Draft Revised Risk Determination for PV29

On March 7, 2022, EPA released a draft revision to the risk determination for C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29).  Manufacturers and commercial clients use PV 29 as a weather fast and heat stable pigment in paints and coatings.  These paints and coatings are primarily used in automobiles and industrial carpeting.  The draft revision comes as […]

EPA Releases Final Scope Document for Manufacturer-Requested Risk Evaluation of D4

On March 7, 2022, EPA published the final scope of the risk evaluation for octamethylcyclotetra-siloxane (D4). This risk evaluation may affect producers of goods comprised of and/or utilizing the following: adhesives, sealants, synthetic rubber, electrical equipment, appliances, paint, ink/toner, aircraft maintenance components, automotive care components, cleaning products, fabrics/textile products. This is not intended to serve […]

EPA Releases 2020 TRI National Analysis

In March 2022, EPA released the 2020 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, showing a decline of 10% for environmental releases of TRI chemicals from the previous year.  EPA states that part of the reason for making the information public is to incentivize companies to reduce pollution.  EPA is also offering $23 million in grants […]

PIP (3:1) Compliance Date Extended to October 31, 2024

On January 6, 2021, EPA issued a rule limiting manufacturing, importing, processing, and distribution of products containing phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)).  That rule was scheduled to take effect on February 5, 2021, with a March 8, 2021, compliance date.  After this date, companies would be prohibited from processing and distributing PIP (3:1) and […]