EPA is issuing a significant new use rule (SNUR) under section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) which requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture, import, or processing of 2-ethoxyethanol (CAS No. 110-80-5) (2-EE), 2-ethoxyethanol acetate (CAS No. 111-15-9) (2-EEA), 2- methoxyethanol (CAS No. 109-86-4) (2-ME), or 2-methoxyethanol acetate (CAS No. 110-49-6) (2-MEA) for domestic use in a consumer product or the manufacture or import of 2-MEA at levels greater than 10,000 pounds per year. This action finalizes the SNUR proposed in the Federal Register of March 1, 2005 (70 FR 9902) (FRL-7692-8).

EPA believes this action is necessary because these chemicals may be hazardous to human health and their use in a consumer product may result in human exposure. The required notice will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate intended new uses and associated activities, and if necessary, prohibit or limit those uses and activities before they occur.

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A new version of the document entitled “Validation Documentation Requirements and Responsibilities for Drug Fabricators, Packagers / Labellers, Testers, Distributors and Importers” is now available. This document has been reviewed as part of the Inspectorate’s quality management process and has been amended to further clarify issues brought to the attention of the Inspectorate.

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As the lead agency for the implementation of Proposition 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), within the California Environmental Protection Agency intends to list the chemicals, iprovalicarb and propoxur, as known to the State to cause cancer. Comment period expires on Monday, January 9, 2006.

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This is the second, and final, formal report on the progress being made in implementing the recommendations resulting from the multistakeholder consultations that took place (1999-2001) on amending the New Substances Notification Regulations (NSNR) and the New Substances (NS) Program. Although this is the final formal progress report on the implementation of these recommendations, Environment Canada and Health Canada will continue to work on those recommendations for which implementation has not yet been completed.

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“The European Commission welcomes the fact that the European Parliament has completed its first reading on REACH. By supporting the Sacconi/Nassauer compromise on registration the EP strikes a very good balance between the health, environment and competitiveness goals of REACH. The Commission will carefully assess the European Parliament’s position on the other issues. This vote opens the way to a balanced agreement in Council by the end of the year. The Commission will continue to play a constructive role as facilitator in order to achieve a compromise that makes REACH more effective and more workable, while preserving a high level of protection for health and the environment”, the responsible Commissioners Günter Verheugen (Enterprise) and Stavros Dimas (Environment) said on 17 November.

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today formed an Alliance with the American Chemistry Council that aims to promote high levels of safety and health performance and improved dialogue through OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) and the ACC’s Responsible Care® initiative.

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