EPA Stops the Importation of Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with INEOS Chlor Americas, Inc., based in Wilmington, Del., to resolve violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). INEOS allegedly imported various chain-length chlorinated paraffins into the United States without providing the required notice to EPA. Under this settlement INEOS has ended the importation of short-chained chlorinated paraffins into the United States.

EPA Webinars - Free

See the information below for EPA's webinar schedule and past webinars.

Upcoming Webinars

Webinars listed on the following link are hosted or sponsored by EPA on topics relating to environmental protection, regulations, and sustainability. All webinars are free and open to everyone.

EPA UPCOMING WEBINAR LINK

Safe Chemicals Act Passes Committee

For the first time in thirty-six years, a Congressional committee voted to update the outdated chemical safety laws. Below is information on the hearing and a summary.

For more details on the Full and Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health joint hearing including majority and minority statements see the following information and links.

"Oversight of EPA Authorities and Actions to Control Exposures to Toxic Chemicals." Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Webcast of the proceeding

This is a major milestone to update a regulation which has not received a major overhaul since its inception. The goal is to "modernize" TSCA to increase the regulation's ability to protect people and the environment.

SNUR Withdraw - Vegetable Oil

On June 22, 2012 EPA withdrew a significant new use rule (SNUR) for the chemical substances identified generically as Vegetable oil, modified products; Vegetable oil, modified products, esters; Olefins; and Fatty acid methyl esters. These chemical substances were the subject of the premanufacture notices (PMNs) P–10–548, P–10–550, P–10–551, P–10–552, P–10–553, P–10–554, and P–10–555.

From EPA

Free EPA Webinar CDX Registration

On April 24, 2012, EPA conducted a Webinar demonstrating CDX registration and the 8(e) electronic reporting tool. The webinar provided a quick demonstration of the CDX registration process and 8(e) reporting tool. Click HERE to download the slides and click HERE to download the audio file from the Webinar.

The Central Data Exchange (CDX) enables fast, efficient and more accurate environmental data submissions from state and local governments, industry and tribes to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and participating program offices.

OSHA’s GHS Adoption Clears OMB

According to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) website, OMB concluded its review of the revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) on February 21, 2012 with a ruling that OSHA’s rule was “consistent with change.” (To see the complete rule click HERE.) "Consistent with change" means that OMB agrees with the intent of the rule, but wants to see a “substantive” change before it is published. Once the change is made, it may be published in the Federal Register. OMB approval was the last major hurdle before OSHA could publish the final rule on GHS in the Federal Register. OSHA is expected to move quickly to address the change(s).

Required TSCA CDR Rule Starts

Important: Wednesday February 1st starts TSCA's Chemical Data Reporting Rule (CDR). The Form U submission deadline is June 30th 2012.
Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Rule Changed to the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule.

Do you need help with the CDR reporting process? Do you have to report under the CDR? Are you confused about the CDR process? 

Contact me (ccalvert@fando.com) for help!

If you manufactured, imported, generated as a byproduct, or produced a chemical substance for commercial purposes in quantities greater than 25,000 lbs during the calendar year of 2011 you may be required to report under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule. The CDR replaces the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) Rule that was used for prior reporting years. (details below)

EPA CDR Webinars

EPA now refers to the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) rule as the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) Rule. This change was effective with the publication of the Inventory Update Reporting Modifications,  Chemical Data Reporting Final Rule, in August 2011. EPA has hosted webinars to assist industry stakeholders with the changes to the reporting process for the 2012 CDR rule.

Regulatory Actions for Unsponsored Chemicals

EPA issued several actions under TSCA addressing 60 high production volume (HPV) chemicals.

1. A final rule that requires manufacturers to test the health and environmental effects of 15 high production volume (HPV) chemicals.
2. A proposal that would require manufacturers to test the health and environmental effects of 23 HPV chemicals
3. A proposal that would require companies to notify EPA prior to new uses of an additional 22 chemicals that are widely used in commerce.

States Lead on Chemical Regulations

Despite well-funded opposition from the chemical industry, 9 states passed legislation to protect the public from toxic chemicals this year. Four states took administrative action to regulate dangerous chemicals in products often consumed by children, including bisphenol A (BPA), cadmium, formaldehyde, and chlorinated tris.

On the state level, there's been bipartisan support for protecting children's health and the environment from dangerous chemicals. 99% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans supported the policies listed below. 18 states have passed over 80 chemical safety laws in the last nine years by an overwhelming margin with broad bipartisan support.

With federal action uncertain, if not impossible, state governments are expected to continue introducing and passing laws to curb toxic chemicals in 2012.

Glyme(Dimethoxyethane) Proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR)

EPA proposed a significant new use rule (SNUR) on July 11, 2011, for 14 glymes or dimethoxyethane. Issued under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the SNUR would require persons who intend to manufacture, import, or process these chemicals for an activity that is designated as a significant new use by the proposed rule to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing that activity. This notification would provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the intended use and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit that activity before it occurs.

New Nano Titanium Dioxide Exposure Limit - NIOSH

A recently released NIOSH guidance document (NIOSH, 2011) on handling titanium dioxide (TiO2) powders in the workplace generated a high level of interest as it put forward an innovative approach that might have implications beyond TiO2. Specifically it may be the first document to recommend separate occupational exposure limits for the same material based on particle size.

REACH Progress: Model for TSCA Reform?

Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union (EU) Regulation that was adopted December 18, 2006. This is the European equivalent of TSCA and is viewed by some as the direction that TSCA reform is headed. However, the November 2010 chemical registration evaluation process is revealing major problems for compliance by companies. Whether these are growing pains or a learning curve on the industry side or poor regulations is yet to be seen. Below is a brief summary  and excerpts from the 40+ page report released by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

EPA Requires Testing of 19 Widely Used Chemicals

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requiring manufacturers of 19 high production volume (HPV) chemicals to test the health and environmental effects of the chemicals and submit the data to the agency. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made assuring the safety of chemicals one of her top priorities. This rule is one of a series of actions that EPA is taking to ensure that the agency has the data it needs to adequately review priority chemicals. HPV chemicals are produced in or imported into the United States in quantities of 1 million pounds or more per year.

TSCA Changes

TSCA changes are currently under review by Congress. These changes to TSCA are being presented in two major bills. EPA Administrator Jackson has a particualar interest in TSCA and examining select chemicals of concern including brominated flame retardants (PBDE) and polybisphenyl A (PBA).