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European Union
ECHA Consults on Including 8 Substances of Very High Concern in the REACH Authorization List (February 2, 2022)
On February 2, 2022, ECHA issued a notice to recommend eight new substances for the European Commission to include in the Authorization List (Annex XIV to REACH) and invite further information on the uses of these substances, their possible exemptions from the authorization requirement, and the structure and complexity of their supply chains. (Read more)
European Commission Seeks Views on Review of EU Rules on the Use of Mercury (February 8, 2022)
On February 8, 2022, the European Commission launched an open public consultation on the review of the Mercury Regulation, which tales the last remaining intentional uses of this very toxic chemical in products. The review of the current rules will contribute to the Zero Pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment announced in the European Green Deal. (Read more)
ECHA Proposes to Ban ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Firefighting Foams throughout the EU (February 23, 2022)
On February 23, 2022, ECHA issued a notice to bring forward a proposal for an EU-wide restriction on all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in firefighting foams as the risks posed by PFASs are currently not adequately controlled and releases should be minimized. (Read more)
European Commission Publishes Delegated Acts Ending the Use of Mercury in Lamps (February 24, 2022)
On February 24, 2022, the European Commission published twelve delegated acts ending a broad range of existing exemptions for the use of mercury in lamps. The delegated acts have been published as the Commission did not receive any objections or extension requests during the scrutiny period. They will enter into force on March 16, 2022 and EU Member States will have six months to transpose the provisions of the delegated acts into their national legislation. (Read more)
The United States
EPA Seeks Input on TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Rule: Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (February 3, 2022)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of a rule that would require reporting and recordkeeping for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from certain persons who have manufactured (including imported) a PFAS in any year since January 1, 2011. (Read more)
EPA Releases Updated Resources to Aid Federal Purchasers in Meeting the Biden-Harris Administration’s Sustainability Goals (February 5, 2022)
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a new and improved Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing under its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program, and a webpage highlighting ecolabel criteria that address perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These actions are a key step in implementing President Biden’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability and the accompanying Federal Sustainability Plan. (Read more)
EPA Extends Public Comment Period for Draft Screening Level Approach for Fenceline Communities, and Releases Registration Information for SACC Meeting (February 8, 2022)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the extension of the public comment period for the proposed Screening Level Approach for Assessing Ambient Air and Water Exposures to Fenceline Communities Version 1.0 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The proposed screening level methodology uses reasonably available data, information, and models to quantify environmental releases, evaluate exposures to fenceline communities and characterize risks associated with such releases and exposures for certain air and water pathways previously not evaluated in published TSCA risk evaluations. The comment period is currently scheduled to end on February 22, 2022 and will be extended until March 22, 2022 to give stakeholders additional time to provide input. (Read more)
EPA Extends Comment Period for Draft Scope Document for Part Two of Asbestos Risk Evaluation (February 10, 2022)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for the draft scope document for the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos, to give stakeholders more time to review and comment. (Read more)
EPA Reopens Comment Period for Draft Revised Risk Determination for HBCD (February 14, 2022)
On February 14, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its intention to reopen the public comment period for the draft revision to the risk determination for the cyclic aliphatic bromide cluster (HBCD) pursuant to section 6(b) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (Read more)
EPA Announces Updates to Resources on Mercury Inventory Reporting Rule (February 22, 2022)
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of the updated Mercury Electronic Reporting (MER) application and compliance guide for calendar year 2021 data reporting. The updates make it easier to report information about the supply, use, and trade of mercury to EPA. (Read more)
EPA Revises Guidelines for Making Corrections to the TSCA Inventory (February 22, 2022)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is phasing out its July 1980 process for requesting corrections to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory. Starting on April 26, 2022, companies may need to submit a premanufacture notice (PMN) or exemption notice in order to request a change to the specific chemical identity of a substance listed on the Inventory. (Read more)
Canada
Canada Publishes Meeting records and reports of the Chemicals Management Plan Science Committee (February 2, 2022)
Canada published the meeting record for the February 2021 Chemicals Management Plan Science Committee meeting, as well as a background paper on the Evolution of the Existing Substances Risk Assessment Program under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and considerations looking forward. (Read more)
Canada Publishes the Final Screening Assessment for Heptamethylnonane, Benzoxazole, 2,2'-(1,4-naphthalenediyl)bis-, and 1-Nitropropane (February 5, 2022)
On February 5, 2022, Canada published the Final Screening Assessment for Heptamethylnonane, Benzoxazole, 2,2'-(1,4-naphthalenediyl)bis- and 1-Nitropropane. The substances were identified for action under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP). (Read more)
Canada Publishes Two notices of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List (February 5, 2022)
On February 5, 2022, Canada Published Two notices of intent to amend the Domestic Substances List to vary the requirements under the Significant New Activities provisions for 10 and 46 substances for a 60-day public comment period ending April 6, 2022. (Read more)
Canada Consults on the Proposed Environmental Performance Agreement for the Formulation of Chlorhexidine Products (February 14, 2022)
On February 14, 2022, Canada published the Proposed Environmental Performance Agreement for the Formulation of Chlorhexidine Products for a public comment period ending April 15, 2022. The Notice with respect to the substances in the National Pollutant Release Inventory for 2022, 2023 and 2024 including Chlorhexidine and its salts in reporting requirements was also published. (Read more)
Canada Consults on the Future of Chemicals Management in Canada (February 23, 2022)
The Government is exploring opportunities to renew its approach to chemicals management. The current program is set to end in March 2021 and work is underway to inform the future of chemicals management in Canada. The Government is committed to building on the success of the CMP and to continue addressing chemicals in Canada to protect the environment and the health of Canadians. (Read more)
