On March 25, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a prepublication version of a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) proposed rule concerning reporting and recordkeeping requirements for certain chemical substances when manufactured (including imported) or processed at the nanoscale. EPA proposes to require persons that manufacture or process these chemical substances to report electronically to EPA certain information, including the specific chemical...
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March 19, 2015
NNI Publishes Supplement to President’s 2016 Budget
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) published on March 11, 2015, its supplement to the President’s 2016 budget submitted to Congress. NNI states that the supplement serves as the NNI annual report. According to the annual report, in 2014, federal agencies invested $1.57 billion in nanotechnology-related activities. The President’s 2016 request calls for an investment of $1.50 billion, which the report states “affirm[s] the Administration’s continuing...
The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) published on March 12, 2015, the proceedings of a September 15, 2014, meeting on “Realizing the Promise of Carbon Nanotubes: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Pathway to Commercialization,” held at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters. According to NNI, a number of common themes and potential future research and development priorities emerged: NNI states that the outcomes of the meeting will help...
February 6, 2015
CPSC’s FY 2016 Budget Request Would Create Center for Consumer Product Applications and Safety Implications of Nanotechnology
The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) fiscal year (FY) 2016 budget request includes funding to establish a Center for Consumer Product Applications and Safety Implications of Nanotechnology (CPASION), which is intended “to develop robust methods in identifying and characterizing nanomaterials in consumer products; to understand their effects on human exposure; and to develop scientists to advance nanomaterials in consumer product safety research.” CPSC recommends a $5 million...
February 4, 2015
EPA Promulgates SNUR for Polymer of Terephthalic Acid and Ethyl Benzene with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (Generic)
On February 2, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated through a direct final rule significant new use rules (SNURs) for 27 chemical substances that were the subject of premanufacture notices (PMNs). The substances include polymer of terephthalic acid and ethyl benzene with multi-walled carbon nanotube (generic) (PMN Number P-13-573), which is subject to a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5(e) consent order. The consent order requires the following...
December 31, 2014
NNCO Will Hold Series of Webinars in 2015
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology Subcommittee of the Committee on Technology, National Science, and Technology Council, will hold a series of webinars in 2015 focusing on the experiences, successes, and challenges for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) working in nanotechnology and on issues of interest to the business community. The first webinar, which will address “What are the biggest issues...
According to a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication on December 23, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing several direct final significant new use rules (SNUR) promulgated on October 27, 2014, including one for functionalized carbon nanotubes (generic) (PMN No. P-13-793). EPA states that it received notice of intent to submit adverse comments on the direct final SNURs. EPA intends to publish proposed SNURs for the chemical substances in the notice....
December 19, 2014
CFS Files Suit to Compel EPA to Respond to 2008 Petition
The Center for Food Safety (CFS) filed suit on December 16, 2014, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its failure to regulate novel nanomaterial pesticides. CFS states in its press release that in 2008, it filed a legal petition requesting that EPA regulate nanosilver products as pesticides. EPA opened a public comment period on November 19, 2008, in response to the petition, but according to...
December 10, 2014
EU-U.S. Joint NanoEHS Workshop Will Be Held in March 2015 in Italy
The National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) announced on December 5, 2014, that, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC), it will hold the 2015 “EU-U.S.: Bridging NanoEHS Research Efforts” joint workshop on March 12-13, 2015, in Venice, Italy. According to NNCO, the workshop will bring together the U.S.-European Union (EU) Communities of Research (COR), which serve as a platform for U.S. and EU scientists to share information on nano...
December 5, 2014
EPA Fall 2014 Regulatory Agenda Includes Item Concerning TSCA Section 8(a) Rule for Nanoscale Materials
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fall 2014 Regulatory Agenda, which was posted on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) website on November 21, 2014, includes an item concerning Section 8(a) Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting and recordkeeping requirements for chemical substances when manufactured or processed as nanoscale materials. According to the item, the proposed rule would require that persons who manufacture these nanoscale materials notify EPA of...