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

Switzerland Adopts New Disclosure Rules for Synthetic Nanomaterials

In response to a stakeholder consultation in 2017, Switzerland adopted new disclosure rules for some synthetic fibrous or tubular nanomaterials on January 31, 2018.

Commercialization, Nanomaterials, RegulationJames EdeMarch 2, 2018Switzerland Adopts New Disclosure Rules for Synthetic Nanomaterials, ew disclosure rules for some synthetic fibrous or tubular nanomaterials, ChemO, Swiss Chemical Ordinance, Commercialization, nanomaterials, biopersistent, five micrometers, less than one kilogram to more than 100 tonsComment

Zero Tolerance of Plastic Pollution of the Oceans: A Global Treaty

During a UN's environment ministers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya last month, Norway proposed a zero tolerance of plastic pollution and suggested an international treaty banning plastic waste from entering the sea.

Environment, Leadership, RegulationJames EdeJanuary 31, 2018UN environment ministers, microplastic, BBC, Vireo Advisors, Norway, UN's environment ministers meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, nternational treaty banning plastic waste, microplasticsComment

Canada Working to Ban Asbestos with New Proposed Rules

Canada is taking steps to ban asbestos by proposing the prohibition of the use, sale, import and export of asbestos and products containing the hazardous material.

Policy, RegulationJames EdeJanuary 24, 2018Canada, banning asbestos, Canada Working to Ban Asbestos with New Proposed Rules, hazardous materials, chlor-alkali industry, cell diaphragms, chlorine and caustic soda, 2025, March 22, 2018, human carcinogenComment

EPA Releases Final Renewable Fuel Standards for 2018 and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019

This final rule is effective on February 12, 2018.

Guidance, Policy, Regulation, SustainabilityJames EdeJanuary 12, 2018EPA, Vireo Advisors, Final Renewable Fuel Standards for 2018, and the Biomass-Based Diesel Volume for 2019, RFS Program, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, U.S. renewable fuels sector, oil import, gasoline, dieselComment

Plastics being "Washed Out" of Big Brand's Packaging

More than 150 companies are asking that governments ban oxo-degradable plastic packaging due to the negative effects it can have on the environment and marine wildlife in a statement organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative.

Environment, Policy, RegulationJames EdeDecember 11, 2017microplastic, oxo-degradable plastic packaging, New Plastics Economy initiative, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Unilever, Pepsico, natural ecosystem, littering, waste management techniquesComment

Update on the USDA’s Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard; Withdrawing Proposed Rule to Revise the Regulation of Genetically Engineered Crops

The USDA has less than a year to release its proposed rule (due in July, 2018) outlining its Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that will require labelling of bioengineered foods and food containing bioengineered ingredients. The USDA announced in November that they have withdrawn its proposed rule to update regulation of genetically engineered crops after feedback received from stakeholders during the comment period.

Innovation, Policy, RegulationJames EdeDecember 4, 2017USA, Revise the Regulation of Genetically Engineered Crops, conventional breeding practices, Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, bioengineered ingredientsComment

Online REACH-IT Submission Replaces Forms

As a result of the update, all members in a joint submission will now have access to an overview of the data (Annexes VI-X) in their most recent, successful submission.

Guidance, RegulationJames EdeDecember 1, 2017REACH, REACH-IT, ECHAComment

EPA Reviewing 10 Chemicals for Potential Additional Regulation

The EPA is reviewing 10 chemicals and the hazards they may pose to human and environmental health to see if additional regulation for the chemicals is needed

San Francisco Prohibits Sale of Furniture Treated with Flame Retardants

Retailors have until January 2019 to sell their current inventory before San Francisco's law goes into effect.

Regulation, PolicyJames EdeNovember 14, 2017San Francisco, Flame Retardants Ban, flame-retardant chemical ban, organohalogens, Vireo Advisors, US consumer product safety commissionComment

JRC Publishes NANoREG Toolbox for the Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials

The Toolbox provides useful tools such as test methods, datasets, models, guidance documents, decision trees, etc., which are available to regulators and others in context of REACH.

Guidance, Nanomaterials, RegulationJames EdeOctober 26, 2017NanoReg, NanoReg Framework, Nanoreg Toolbox, European Union's 7th Framework Program, JRC, Joint Research Center, EC, European Commission, REACHComment