Consumer Law and Environment
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U.S. EPA Finalized PFAS Reporting Rule Requires Submittal of 12 Years of PFAS Data
On September 28, 2023, U.S. EPA released its final reporting rule that will require manufacturers (and importers) of PFAS and PFAS-containing articles to submit detailed PFAS-information going back as far as 2011. Putting aside the difficulties posed by a reporting rule with a 12-year look-back, the final rule also adopts a structure-based PFAS definition. Specifically, rather than… Continue reading
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Can You Go Green Without Being Accused Of Greenwashing?
On Earth Day and every day, companies face increasing pressure to “go green” or be more “sustainable.” When companies heed this call—whether it’s by reducing GHG emissions, investing in renewable energy, or making their products recyclable or compostable—they understandably want to let people know about the positive actions they are taking. But, when a company… Continue reading
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Governor Newsom Vetoes PFAS Reporting Bill But Signs Into Law Legislation Banning PFAS in Cosmetics and Textiles
On September 29, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed Assembly Bill No. 2247. The bill would have required manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) or products or product components containing intentionally added PFAS to register the PFAS or products or product components on a publicly accessible data collection interface, along with other information. Continue reading
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Jenner & Block Wishes Bon Voyage to Gay Sigel as She Starts Her Next Adventure with the City of Chicago
As Gay Sigel walked through the doors at One IBM Plaza in Chicago, fresh out of law school and ready to launch her career as an attorney at Jenner & Block, she could not have envisioned the tremendous impact she would have on her clients, her colleagues, and her community over the next 39 years. Continue reading
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Inflation Reduction Act: Is the U.S. Finally Poised to Tackle Climate Change?
By Allison A. Torrence In a compromise move many months in the making, on August 7, 2022, the Senate passed a spending bill dubbed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which contains provisions aimed at lowering drug prices and health care premiums, reducing inflation, and most notably for our readers, investing approximately $369 billion in… Continue reading
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Vermont Joins Growing Number of States Allowing Medical Monitoring for Alleged Exposure to Chemicals
On April 21st, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed into law Senate Bill 113 that provides a cause of action for medical monitoring for individuals exposed to toxic chemicals. Continue reading
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“Silent Spring” and the Life Cycle of Emerging Contaminants
On the 60th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carlson’s groundbreaking book “Silent Spring”, the world continues to struggle to manage the human health and environmental risks associated with newly discovered emerging contaminants. Continue reading
Climate Change, Consumer Law and Environment, Contamination, Emerging Contaminants, Groundwater, Sustainability, TSCA, Water1, 4-dioxane, asbestos, chemicals, Corporate Environmental Lawyer, DDT, dioxin, Earth Week, Emerging Contaminants, environment, EPA, global stewardship, Groundwater, human health, Jenner & Block, MTBE, PCB, pesticides, PFAS, Rachel Carlson, Silent Spring, soil, Steven M. Siros, strategic roadmap, TSCA -
California Law Adds New Restrictions on Recyclability Claims
On October 5, 2021, California Governor Newsom signed SB 343, addressing recyclability claims on products and in advertising. Continue reading
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Supreme Court Procedural Clarity Provides Win for Industry in Climate Case
On May 17, 2021, the United States Supreme Court ruled 7-1 that the Fourth Circuit should have considered all of the fossil fuel companies’ grounds for removal to federal court in the BP PLC, et al. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore case. Continue reading