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EPA Releases PFAS Strategic Roadmap, Commits to Numerous Regulatory and Technical Goals Through 2024

Oct 19 2021

On Monday, October 18, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) released its Strategic Roadmap for PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances). The Strategic Roadmap outlines a number of key actions EPA intends to take over the next three years, including rulemakings and technical reviews that will involve a number of the Agency’s offices. EPA’s Strategic Roadmap builds on the work of EPA’s Council on PFAS, convened by EPA Administrator Michael Regan in April 2021.

Environmental Trends; EPA; Forever Chemicals; PFAS

Global Reporting Initiative Revises its Universal Standards on Sustainability Reporting

Oct 14 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Allen S. Braddock

On October 5, 2021, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) revised its Universal Standards on sustainability reporting. GRI is one of several stakeholder-led organizations that publishes voluntary standards for sustainability reporting. Through its standards, GRI seeks to promote standardized environmental, social, and governance reporting by companies and industries to their stakeholders.

ESG

California to Ban PFAS in Certain Consumer and Children’s Products

Oct 12 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Allen S. Braddock

On October 5, 2021, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed A.B. 1200, which bans per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper-based food packaging by January 1, 2023, while requiring cookware manufacturers to begin disclosing PFAS and other toxic chemicals used in their products by 2024. The bill also requires manufacturers to use “the least toxic alternative” when replacing PFAS in the food packaging.

California; PFAS

Environmental Marketing Claims Receive Business Scrutiny

Oct 07 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Marshall R. Morales

Consumers and governments have applied greater scrutiny to environmental marketing claims. Enforcement for environmental marketing claims has typically come from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), under its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims at 40 C.F.R. Part 260, also called the “Green Guides.” But last week the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs issued a decision on environmental marketing, reminding manufacturers of actors outside the federal government that can affect environmental claims for products.

Environmental Marketing; FTC

U.S. EPA Announces Further Regulation of Manufactured Goods Under Toxic Substances Control Act

Oct 05 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Marshall R. Morales

In an announcement that portends substantial regulatory changes, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chemicals office announced a shift in policy to further regulate chemicals within manufactured goods or finished products. The change would mean that importers, manufacturers, and processors will need to know the chemicals in manufactured or finished goods and assess whether EPA restricts those chemicals.

Chemicals; EPA; TSCA

Stricter PFAS Regulations Added to Defense Authorization Bill

Sep 30 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Hannah Posen

On September 22, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted a consolidated amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 related to the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). If enacted, the bipartisan amendment would require a number of PFAS-related actions, including these:

Congress; PFAS

EPA Issues Final Rule to Reduce Hydroflurocarbons

Sep 28 2021

Samuel Boxerman and Hannah Posen

On Friday, September 23, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the final rule to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 85% by 2036. The rule sets baselines for HFC production and consumption from which reductions can be measured and establishes a compliance and enforcement program. In addition to announcing the final rule, EPA also announced an interagency task force with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prevent the illegal import and trade of HFCs.

Biden; Climate Change; Rulemaking