We are pleased to share with you the latest edition of “frESH Law Horizons: Key Developments in UK & EU Environment, Safety and Health Law and Procedure”, a monthly newsletter that provides bite-size updates on EU and UK law, procedure and policy. This month, we summarize nearly 30 developments of interest within the UK and … Continue Reading
The new Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) has collaborated with the BSI, to introduce the first ever government-backed Code of Practice for product safety recalls – PAS7100. This is the first major undertaking of the OPSS, which was set up in January 2018. The development of the code results from recommendations made by … Continue Reading
In light of the fire that destroyed Grenfell Tower in West London in 2017, and apparent issues with the safety of white goods in particular, we commented upon the lack of guidance on product recalls in UK law, and the existing government proposals to improve and overhaul various areas of product regulation. On 21 January … Continue Reading
A strong chemical manufacturing sector is at the heart of every successful economy. In the UK, the sector contributes £18 billion a year to the economy, employs 500,000 people and has £50 billion worth of exports – the largest of any manufacturing sector. Most importantly, 60% of these exports go to the EU and 75% … Continue Reading
Check out the February 2018 edition of the UK Environmental, Safety & Health team’s monthly newsletter, frESH Law Horizons: Key Developments in UK and EU Environment, Safety and Health Law and Procedure, for “bite-sized” updates on EU and UK law and policy on the following hot topics:… Continue Reading
On February 26, 2018, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) formally issued its proposed rule to charge new “user fees” under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The amended TSCA authorizes US EPA to charge fees for a variety of activities under TSCA sections 4, 5 and 6, totaling up to 25% of … Continue Reading
As of today’s date, businesses have only 6 months to comply with the newly-amended Clear and Reasonable Warnings regulations in California’s Proposition 65 (Prop 65), which take effect on August 30, 2018. We posted a 1-year reminder here, which discusses the history of Prop 65, the new requirements in the regulations, and the potential increase in … Continue Reading
Check out the January 2018 edition of the UK Environmental, Safety & Health team’s monthly newsletter, frESH Law Horizons: Key Developments in UK and EU Environment, Safety and Health Law and Procedure, for “bite-sized” updates on EU and UK law and policy on the following hot topics:… Continue Reading
As of today’s date, businesses have just one more year to comply with the newly-amended Clear and Reasonable Warnings regulations from California’s Proposition 65 (“Prop 65”), which take effect on August 30, 2018. Businesses should consider the Clear and Reasonable Warning compliance requirements and guidance outlined below now to be prepared for this deadline and minimize the risk of … Continue Reading
US EPA’s rule to “reset” the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory of chemical substances was formally published in the Federal Register on August 11, 2017. This means that the clock is now running on the 180-day deadline for chemical manufacturers and importers to submit to US EPA the chemical substance notifications required by the … Continue Reading
On June 22, 2017, US EPA issued three major rules required by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (LCSA), which amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 2016. The three TSCA rules addressed: (1) “resetting” the TSCA Inventory, (2) chemical substances prioritization, and (3) risk evaluations for chemical substances. … Continue Reading
On 14 June 2017, forty fire engines and more than 200 firefighters were required to tackle an inferno that destroyed 151 homes, and killed scores of people at Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey block of public housing flats in West London. The source of the Grenfell Tower fire has recently been identified as a fridge freezer. The Metropolitan Police has stated that … Continue Reading
Technology can offer new business opportunities and efficiencies to businesses. However, it can also present new and on-going challenges to the regulation and control of health, safety and environmental issues (and ultimately the potential liability of any business exploiting new technology). One of the ‘key points’ of the Health and Safety Executive Strategy 2016 was … Continue Reading
The UK Government has published a Green Paper on Industrial Strategy, which identifies a number of challenges over the coming years, including: building on existing strengths and extending excellence into the future (with reference to the UK’s global reputation in industrial sectors – from automotive and aerospace to financial and professional services and the creative … Continue Reading
One area of EU law which is developing rapidly relates to improving the circular economy. There are a number of legislative proposals in the pipeline, but with the prospect of the UK leaving the EU in the next few years, what are the implications for these circular economy initiatives, and could there be opportunities for … Continue Reading
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has issued its proposed rule outlining the process by which it will conduct risk evaluations on chemical substances under the recently amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), to determine whether the substances present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment under the conditions of use. … Continue Reading
The UK Environmental Audit Committee (a cross-party parliamentary select committee which considers how well government policies and programmes contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development) has published its report on “The Future of the Natural Environment after the EU Referendum”. The report makes a series of recommendations for actions that the Government should take during … Continue Reading
On November 29, US EPA announced the first 10 chemicals it will evaluate for potential risks to human health and the environment under the recently amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). US EPA will evaluate the 10 chemicals to determine whether they “present an unreasonable risk of injury” to health or the environment “under the … Continue Reading
In a recent presentation at the Fifth Annual International Conference NANOSAFE 2016 in Minatec-Grenoble, France, Anthony Bochon explored how companies should address Environmental, Health & Safety Management risks in relation to nanomaterials. He discussed existing employment and consumers safety legal instruments that can be used in Belgium and abroad. A leading expert in this emerging … Continue Reading
On August 30, 2016, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) adopted revised warning requirements under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, commonly known as Proposition 65 and codified at California Health and Safety Code section 25249.5. The new regulations take effect on August 30, 2018. Proposition 65 requires … Continue Reading
Last week, US EPA announced in the Federal Register that it has extended the deadline for companies subject to its Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) rule to submit data on the chemical substances they manufacture and import pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) from September 30, 2016 to October 31, 2016. For detailed information on the CDR reporting requirements, … Continue Reading
How US EPA assesses and regulates chemicals under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act has a number of implications for workplace and consumer safety regulation. In particular, chemicals regulated under other environmental statutes may bear on US EPA’s plans in this arena. US EPA has not regulated a chemical under TSCA Section 6, which provides … Continue Reading
The British exit from the European Union (Brexit) could significantly impact chemical companies operating within the United Kingdom (UK), depending on the regulatory decisions made by the government. Post-Brexit, REACH, the European Union’s chemicals regulatory scheme will no longer apply to the UK. Upon exiting REACH, UK companies exporting to Europe could face substantial extra … Continue Reading
On July 22, 2016, US EPA issued its first safety determinations on premanufacture notices (PMNs) for new chemicals under TSCA as amended by the recently enacted Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. US EPA announced the decisions exactly one month after President Obama signed the Lautenberg Act into law on June 22, … Continue Reading
