Author Archives: Fern Abrams

CPSC Votes to Ban Organohalogen Flame Retardants in Electronics Casings

September 20, 2017 – 1:11 pm

Today, on September 20, 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted, along party lines, to grant petition CPSC-2015-0022; Petition Requesting Rulemaking on Products Containing Organohalogen Flame Retardants (OFRs). The petition, which was filed by a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), asks the CPSC to ban the use of organo-halogen flame retardants in several […]

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EU Commission Launches Stakeholder Consultation on RoHS Exemptions

September 19, 2017 – 2:50 pm

Today, on September 19, 2017, the European Union (EU) Commission launched a four-week stakeholder consultation on DRAFT Delegated Directives for exemptions: • 6(a) Lead as an alloying element in steel for machining purposes and in galvanized steel containing up to 0.35% lead by weight • 6(b) Lead as an alloying element in aluminum containing up […]

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CPSC Hearing Reviews Petition to Ban Organohalogen Flame Retardants in Electronics Casings

September 18, 2017 – 2:40 pm

On Thursday, September 14, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held a hearing on petition CPSC-2015-0022; Petition Requesting Rulemaking on Products Containing Organohalogen Flame Retardants. The petition was filed by a group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) asking the CPSC to ban the use of organohalogen flame retardants in several products, including the (outer) plastic […]

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IPC Disappointed by Failure of TSCA Negotiated Rulemaking

September 15, 2017 – 2:22 pm

Yesterday, after five months of work, the federal advisory committee created to negotiate a rule that would limit the reporting requirements for byproducts sent for recycling decided to end our work because consensus could not be reached. IPC was represented by myself and Bret Bruhn, environmental engineer, TTM Technologies and Chair of the IPC Environmental, […]

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Huizenga Amendment on Conflict Minerals Approved by the U.S. House of Representatives

September 15, 2017 – 11:00 am

The U.S. House of Representatives today adopted an amendment by Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) that would prohibit the use of funds for any action on rules issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) related to conflict minerals. The amendment was attached to the omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal 2018 that is currently making […]

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TSCA Inventory Notification Published in Federal Register

August 15, 2017 – 1:53 pm

On August 11, 2017, the TSCA Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) Rule published in the Federal Register. This reporting will be used to identify which chemical substances on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory are active in U.S. commerce. Under the rule, manufacturers, including importers, have until February 7, 2018 to notify the U.S. Environmental Protection […]

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EU Governments Reach Agreement on Spare Parts Under RoHS

July 21, 2017 – 6:20 am

On 21 June, the European Commission, the European Parliament and Council agreed on proposed amendments to the RoHS Directive. These amendments will permit secondary market operations, such as reselling of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and spare parts containing prohibited substances beyond the current 2019 deadline, in order to promote a circular economy by facilitating […]

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California Publishes Q&A on New Prop 65 Warning Requirements

July 17, 2017 – 3:22 pm

Last week, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) posted a new question and answer document on the new Proposition 65 Clear and Reasonable Warning regulations announced last year. The final rule, announced by OEHHA on September 2, 2016, will be effective on August 30, 2018. The new rules include requirements for what […]

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IPC supports OSHA Proposal to Delay Reporting of Injury Tracking

July 17, 2017 – 8:03 am

Last week, IPC, along with 60 other organizations, submitted comments supporting an Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) proposed rule to delay the compliance date for the reporting requirement under the final Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Regulation issued May 12, 2016. The comments welcome OSHA’s proposal to delay the reporting requirement under the […]

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Court Strikes Down Part of the 2015 DSW Rule

July 14, 2017 – 1:42 pm

Last week, in a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down parts of the 2015 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Definition of Solid Waste (DSW) rule. IPC opposed the 2015 rule because it inappropriately regulates secondary materials that have been sent for recycling as hazardous wastes. EPA’s […]

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