Under TSCA, EPA has fought for years to measure, mitigate, manage and restrict the usage of certain substances in industry. Now, the SEC acheives the same result, quicker.

The four conflict minerals are not just for jewelry anymore... conflict minerals turn up in everything from electronics, jet engines, solder and drill bits. Big money. And in some cases, big trouble.

Eight new substances are now subject to Authorisation under Europe's REACH regulation. This is the third time that substances have been added to the Authorisation List by the European Commission.

The European Commission has clarified deadlines for Authorisation, allowing that applications can be submitted up to three months later. For example: phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP, which were slated for Authorization in 2011, now have a submission window before the "latest application date" between August 7th and 21st of 2013. Here's everything you need to know — the short version.

If you read this blog you are involved with Risk Assessment. You may be able to contribute to EPA's latest drive for feedback on Cumulative Risk Assessment methods that you've been used in the past— what works and what doesn't— for approaches that could assist in developing working methods for risk assessment.

One could get in trouble for saying this but: the update to ISO 14001:2004 for Environmental Management Systems is largely cosmetic. That said, there is one aspect that deserves keen attention.

Compared to earlier versions of American chemical regulation legislation, last week's proposed update to the US Toxic Substances Control Act includes significant changes. Overall, the new bill is identical to the legislation that was sponsored by 30 Senators and reported favorably out of the Environment and Public Works Committee in the 112th Congress. Could it pass...?

Risk Management Plans help prevent accidental releases of substances that can seriously harm the public and the environment. EPA penalties for not having one are rising.  Here's what one packaging company did not do right. Here's what your company can do.

When it comes to enforcement, employers can expect to see a continued increase in OSHA inspections. OSHA director Dr. David Michaels has stated that the higher penalties are still too low when compared to other regulatory agencies. All this just as the GHS deadline looms large right ahead. What should a company do if they haven't done much towards GHS compliance?

Canadian lawmakers compare their new conflict mineral bill and related campaign to the anti-“blood diamonds” campaign in Africa beginning back in 2003. 

Converting an estimated 1.4 million Safety Data Sheets in the United States to GHS is a Herculean task. Companies are working on it, as deadlines for compliance loom in Q4 of 2013 then occur in steps through 2015 and beyond. Here's the GHS implementation timeline — to facilitate your planning and assessment. 

As the first deadline for US GHS approaches, people are starting to ask the basic questions all over again. The top question I get is about the fundamental differences between the old U.S. Hazard Communication Standard and the new. So we've answered this, with graphics. Refreshing? Maybe not, but helpful.

A new leader of the Catholic church has emerged from the Vatican, and by all accounts the choice for the new Pope is an excellent one. Perhaps most interesting in our field— and most surprising— is that the elected pontiff is not just a theologian. He's also a chemist.

Actio’s Material Disclosure software is called “a game-changing vehicle for creating supply chain transparency” by independent judging panel comprised of executives from top companies.

What the lawsuit against the SEC "Conflict Minerals" rule lists as charges against the SEC. Here's why the rule fails, in the opinion of the lawsuit. 

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed methodology for identification and assessment of substances for potential restriction under RoHS has only a few weeks left to comment. Here's brief context and how to submit your thoughts.

Salaries rose in the United States in 2012 for some professionals. Quality was not one of those areas. See what over 6,000 Quality professionals said they were making in 2012; compare your own salary.  

NIST, the National Institite of Standards and Technology (NIST), has released a 2012 set of guides on product compliance requirements in specific industry sectors. Sectors covered include furniture, footwear, motor vehicle parts, and apparel/household textiles. Get the compliance guides here (no charge).

The European Commission (EC) has published the 5-year review of the REACH regulation. Here's what they found, in a nutshell.

California has officially announced a proposal to adopt a "maximum allowable dose level" of 290 micrograms per day for exposures to bisphenol A (BPA). Here's what it means.

A new report cites significant danger to communities in the vicinity of certain chemical and water facilities in the event of a natural catastrophe or aggressive attack. In response, a new bill in Congress aims to bolster safety at these facilities, and to protect vulnerable workers and communities. 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is obliged to regularly submit recommendations of substances that should be subject to authorisation to the European Commission. Insodoing, ECHA prioritises substances on the Candidate List to determine which should be included in the Authorisation List (Annex XIV). Formaldehyde and arsenic acid lead the list, followed by ...

Here are the top predictions for 2013. The 5 categories span general electronics interest, TSCA/pollution policy, power industry trends, EPA air and water regulations, and tech.

The US EPA has named five chemicals for assessment for certain household uses. Uses run from two types of paint strippers to a protective coating, a flame retardant, a fragrance and a degreaser. Comment period starts now. Pictured right is Jim Jones, new acting Ass't Administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP).

Recently, England signed over $35 million to select universities specifically for the purpose of developing uses (and patents) for graphene.  The future of graphene seems limitless — a game changer akin to the advent of steel — it's that big. Should the US be investing more in graphene R&D?

A significant RoHS deadline looms on January 2, 2013.  It's expected that by January 2, EU Member States will have transposed RoHS 2 provisions into their respective national laws.  Thus, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) manufacturers must be prepared to comply on that date, depending of course on each member state's time table.

In the Federal Register issue of December 3, 2012, EPA issued a health and safety data reporting rule that would have required manufacturers (including importers) of cadmium or cadmium compounds to report certain unpublished health and safety studies to EPA.  EPA says it has "good cause" to withdraw that final rule.

REACH chemical regulation in Europe added 54 new SVHCs to the Candidate List this morning - total is now ~138 substances.  Download the complete list here for your records.

In Singapore, GHS labeling of containers for single substances is expected at the end of 2012. Also of note:  the nation's 125 controlled hazardous substances has reasonable exemptions— download the full list here, including exemptions.

The central law regulating existing chemicals in China also covers implementing GHS in China. It's called the Safe Management of Hazardous Chemicals in China, or Decree 591.

In China, registration required for tracking hazardous chemicals release and transfers starts March 1, 2013.  Read details here. 

California's Safer Consumer Products (SCP) proposal announces 30-day public notice and comment period.

Conflict minerals are widely used in many industrial sectors such as Electronics and Communications, Aerospace, Automotive, Jewelry, Health Care devices, and Diversified Industrial Manufacturing. If your company needs to comply, here are SEC recommended five steps to compliance.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now requires due diligence for conflict minerals. Some businesses are purchasing mining rights in the African Congo to better manage raw material quality, sourcing data and supply chain processes overall. Here's how to start. 

A new release of REACH-IT will make registrants' contact information public. If you don't know what those details are or if you would like to update them, here's how. Deadline to modify what will be made public is Friday, November 16, 2012.

In an effort to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and to set an example for the rest of the world, California has dropped a landmark "cap-and-trade" regulation that will shake up both industry and supply chains in the golden state.

The latest RoHS consultation is a process for the evaluation of applications for granting, renewing or revoking an exemption, to be included in or deleted from Annexes III and IV of the new RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (also known as RoHS 2).  

If the supply chain or the business itself where you're considering investments is situated near the coast or inland in a valley (as so many are), then your risk assessment should turn on the heat. Add scenarios where temperatures increase up to 6 degrees Celsius and water levels rise. A new report from the world's largest professional services firm says so. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for 107 chemicals, listed here.

Trade compliance alert: the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for 78 chemicals.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been petitioned by 17 Environmental groups to require reporting for toxic pollutants released during oil and gas extraction. Earthworks, Clean Water Action, Clean Air Council and Sierra Club are listed as petition signatories. 

On oil rigs, the lowest pay is $18/hour and the average annual salary is $100,000/year. Of course, there's a reason for that.

Fun and tasty supply chain overhauls: Disney, Dunkin Donuts and Hershey's promise higher standards in sourcing, setting material disclosure expectations from suppliers. Moral of the story? Profits must be shimmering below the surface.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a direct final rule to update and clarify several sections of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) regulations.

The European Commission announced today a review of its nanomaterial regulation. Safety concerns have been buzzing, but there's no real evidence for nano-stuff's safety nor hazards. (And that's really the problem.)  Read on.

Xylene is up for California Proposition 65 candidacy [download the list here].  The general population can be exposed to xylene via inhalation of indoor and workplace air, automobile exhaust, tobacco smoke, and other avenues.

A virtual liver?  Yes.  There are also databases with chemical information and toxicology data, reports and tools you can use.

Here are the latest toxics tools and technology from the United States EPA. It's all free and online.

ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency responsible for bringing order to chaos under REACH chemical regulation, is introducing something called "a new systematic targeting of compliance checks based on specified concerns."

The idea is to increase the likelihood of auditing for the dossiers that companies (or their agents) submit under REACH. The big picture goal? To ensure higher compliance of REACH registrations. Will it work? You be the judge! Read on.