On July 13, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule. The rule is set to become effective on September 11, 2020, and will introduce comprehensive changes to the regulations governing how
EHS Law Insights
Comment and analysis by Reed Smith lawyers on the latest developments in Environmental Health & Safety
EHS Law Insights, published by Reed Smith LLP, focuses on legal developments and regulatory changes in environmental health and safety (EHS). The blog covers topics such as carbon removal credit regulations, chemical substance bans like PFAS, environmental rule rollbacks by agencies like the EPA, and shifts in enforcement priorities under different administrations. It also addresses compliance strategies for industries affected by environmental laws, updates on air and water pollution standards, and the impact of federal and state regulatory actions on corporate environmental responsibilities. The blog provides analysis relevant to industries navigating evolving environmental regulations and sustainability mandates.
Latest from EHS Law Insights - Page 17
Comments sought on review of the EU General Product Safety Directive
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…
CARB continues developing its “Clean Miles Standard,” reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ridesharing companies: hearing set for mid-July
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…
ICYMI: June sees major U.S. Supreme Court environmental activity
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…
EPA to terminate its temporary enforcement discretion policy
On March 26, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a memorandum about a temporary policy regarding EPA enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the policy, the EPA stopped seeking penalties for certain missed environmental obligations.…
California requires trucks to go electric in effort to reduce pollution
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) on June 25, 2020, unanimously approved the “Advanced Clean Trucks” rule, requiring automakers to sell a minimum number of zero-emissions diesel trucks, delivery vans and large pickups, starting in 2024. The quotas will…
TSCA Summer Watch List
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…
UK unveils post-Brexit Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)
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…
U.S. regulatory developments: EPA issues first in a series of rules restricting ethylene oxide emissions
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…
Appeals court rejects AFL-CIO suit seeking to compel OSHA to issue COVID-19 emergency temporary standard
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…