The European Commission is currently seeking public comment as part of its review of the EU General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) (Directive 2001/95/EC). The GPSD sets out a broad regulatory framework for the placement of non-food consumer products (not regulated by other product specific EU legislation) on the EU market. In particular, it establishes the … Continue Reading
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will conduct a public workshop later this month as it continues its efforts to expand the state’s development of the Clean Miles Standard (CMS). As was earlier reported, the CMS will require ridesharing companies, aka transportation network companies (TNCs), to account for, and reduce, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions … Continue Reading
1. Pipeline May Cross Underneath the Appalachian Trail with Forest Service Approval On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) held in a 7-2 decision that the U.S. Forest Service had the authority to grant developers of a gas pipeline right-of-way underneath the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. At issue in this case was whether … Continue Reading
In 2016, Congress enacted major reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These improvements included items such as: (1) a mandatory requirement for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate existing chemicals with clear and enforceable deadlines; (2) risk-based chemical assessments; (3) increased public transparency for chemical information; and (4) a consistent source of … Continue Reading
The UK has published its plans for the UK ETS starting in 2021. In the UK, this will replace the EU ETS, which the UK is set to leave at the end 2020 with the termination of the Brexit transition period. It is part of the UK government’s plan to drive domestic and international action … Continue Reading
On June 1, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final action to reduce emissions of ethylene oxide (EO) from certain sources. EO is an intermediary chemical used to make plastics, textiles and antifreeze, and also is used to sterilize medical devices. Scrutiny of EO has increased in the past few years due to … Continue Reading
On May 18, the AFL-CIO filed a petition for a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to compel the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) protecting U.S. workers against COVID-19. However, on June 11, the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected … Continue Reading
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will conduct a public Board hearing later this month as it continues its efforts to expand the state’s existing Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation to further reduce air emissions from ships docked in California. As earlier reported, CARB recently released further modifications to the at-berth rulemaking documents (15-day change). Due … Continue Reading
The European Commission has recently launched a public consultation on the proposed review of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) (EU Regulation No 1013/2006). The current WSR regulates the transboundary movement of waste and establishes a strict control regime for the shipment of waste between EU Member States and non-EU countries, and the transport of … Continue Reading
This month’s notable U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) actions involve what the Court declined to review rather than any actual decisions. Declined to review: Fuel blenders exemption under the EPA’s RFS program On May 18, 2020, SCOTUS declined to review the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) policy that fuel blenders are not responsible for mixing biofuels … Continue Reading
On May 18, 2020, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (the AFL-CIO) filed a petition against the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) demanding that the agency issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) to address the COVID-19 pandemic within 30 days. The case is In re: Am. Fed’n of Labor … Continue Reading
In the context of COVID-19, many companies are downsizing operations or, in some cases, completely eliminating product lines or shuttering facilities. The considerations that go into such a decision are difficult and complicated, in part because the effects may be felt long into the future. However, if you are faced with such a decision, here are a … Continue Reading
With most states starting to reopen after the lockdown, attention is focused on the process for getting back to work safely, and when and how employers must record COVID-19 cases as a work related illness. In response to this, OSHA has issued a revised recordkeeping enforcement memorandum outlining the applicable requirements. This comes into effect … Continue Reading
Earlier this year, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking recommending extensive changes to the governing regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is a broad national policy aimed at preventing or eliminating damage to the environment. Under this policy, whenever “major federal actions” – including projects that … Continue Reading
The European Commission launched a public consultation on its review of Regulation 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (the TEN-E Regulation) on 18 May 2020. The public consultation is accompanied by a targeted, more technical consultation aimed at stakeholders with specialist knowledge of the TEN-E Regulation. Both consultations will be open for eight weeks, … Continue Reading
