The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

California proposing to list three flame retardants as chemicals of concern

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is proposing to add three fire retardant chemicals (tetrabromobisphenol A; N,N-dimethylformamide; and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole) to the list of chemicals of concern in the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986(Proposition 65). The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is proposing to add three fire retardant chemicals (tetrabromobisphenol A; N,N-dimethylformamide; and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole) to the list of chemicals of concern in the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986(Proposition 65).

Policy, RegulationJames EdeAugust 8, 2017fire retardant chemicals, tetrabromobisphenol A; N, N-dimethylformamide; and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Proposition 65, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Group 2AComment

Personal Care Products Council says Plastic Microbeads in Cosmetics are "Tiny Contributors" to Marine Pollution

The UN Environment Programme's Clean Seas campaign has called for a global ban of microbeads in cosmetics due to their contribution to marine pollution.

Environment, Guidance, Leadership, Regulation, PolicyJames EdeAugust 3, 2017clean seas program, microbeads, microbead ban, UK, Taiwan, South Korea, UN, Ireland, PCPC, The Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations, U.S. Microbead-Free Waters ActComment

The Push for the EPA to Accept Non-Animal Safety Data

Many chemical manufacturers are hoping that non-animal safety data will be well received in the U.S. by the EPA.

Alternate Testing, Guidance, RegulationJames EdeJuly 31, 2017non-animal testing, U.S. EPA, Afton Chemical Corp., REACH, EU, European Chemicals Agency, TSCA, EPA, Tala Henry, risk assessment, Alternative Testing StrategyComment

Canada to publish prioritization of nanoscale substances in 2018

Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada are currently in the process of completing a prioritization of nanomaterials on their Domestic Substances List.

Nanomaterials, Environment, Guidance, Risk AnalysisJames EdeJuly 28, 2017Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, prioritization of nanomaterials, Domestic Substances List, Chemicals Management Plan Progress Report, nanoscale substances, risk assessment, Canada, human health, environmentalComment

European Commission publishes first inventory of nanomaterials in cosmetics

European Commission has published an inventory of 43 nanomaterials used in cosmetics.

Nanomaterials, Policy, RegulationJames EdeJuly 12, 2017European Commission, first inventory of nanomaterials in cosmetics, nanomaterials, preservatives, colorants and UV-filters, EUComment

Expert Reaction to Nanoparticles Found in Australian Baby Formula Brands

Friends of the Earth, an activist group consisting of members from more than 75 countries, recently conducted an independent analysis of baby formulas which found nanoparticles {calcium phosphate crystals (Ca apatite)} in 6 of the formulas tested.

NanomaterialsJames EdeJuly 10, 2017Nanoparticles Found in Australian Baby Formula Brands, Friends of the Earth, Vireo Advisors, Adjunct Professor Andrew Bartholomaeus, Professor Ian Rae, Food Standards Australia New Zealand's (FSANZ), calcium phosphate crystals, Ca apatiteComment

EPA issues three final TSCA framework rules

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. The U.S. EPA recently released the three final TSCA framework rules.

Leadership, Risk Analysis, Policy, RegulationJames EdeJuly 6, 2017TSCA, EPA, TSCA Framework Rules, Scott PruittComment

Japanese firms to begin “nanoforest” fiber production

Marubeni and Chuetsu Pulp & Paper, both Japanese trading firms, announced they are joining to make and sell cellulose nanofibers.

Commercialization, Innovation, Markets, Nanomaterials, NanotechnologyJames EdeJune 29, 2017Marubeni, Chuetsu Pulp & Paper, nanoforest fiber, Commercialization, JapanComment

Titanium dioxide is unlikely to be added to the REACH candidate list

ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has disagreed with France's proposed mandatory category 1B carcinogenicity classification of Titanium Dioxide, which would have made the substance eligible for Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) status.

Guidance, Nanomaterials, RegulationJames EdeJune 26, 2017ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) status, Titanium dioxide, REACH, category 1B substances toxic for reproduction, carcinogenic (category 1B), PBT and vPvBComment

ECHA launches EU nanomaterials observatory

ECHA has launched the EU nanomaterials observatory (EUON), which is a website intended to provide information on nanomaterials in the EU market to the public.

Nanomaterials, NanoEHS NewsJames EdeJune 23, 2017ECHA, EUON, EU market, European Union, public access, European research data and consumer choice studiesComment