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 […]
On October 14, 2020 the European Commission communicated the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions. This ambitious Strategy is intended to “chart a new long-term vision for the EU’s chemical policy … [that] strives for […]
Testing of California’s public water supply wells reveals that 60 percent of them contain the “forever” chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The concentrations of these substances were higher at airports than landfills and public supply wells. One million parts per trillion were detected at airports, while landfills had 10,000 parts per trillion and public […]
