CK&E Attorneys Lobby California Legislature with PCPC

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On March 20, 2018 Conkle, Kremer & Engel attorneys Eric S. Engel and Aleen Tomassian helped the Personal Care Products Council fulfill part of its mission by organizing and executing an effective lobbying day to advance the legislative interests of the industry.  Led by PCPC Senior Vice President Government Affairs Mike Thompson and PCPC Director of Government Affairs Karin Ross, a group of personal care product industry members, lobbyists and advisors heard presentations by pivotal regulatory agencies and then met with key legislators and their staffs to address issues of importance to the industry.

PCPC Chief Scientist Alex Kowcz seminar to Calif Legislative Staff

The PCPC held a luncheon at which it presented its first Legislator of the Year Awards to congresspersons who have been the most effective in advancing the important interests of both business and consumers in relation to personal care products.  Legislative staff also received an educational presentation from PCPC’s new Chief Scientist, Alex Kowcz, to help bring to Legislators the most current scientific information about issues affecting personal care products.  After a long day of meetings, participants unwound and connected at an informal reception for legislators, the governor’s office and administration officials at Ella, a popular restaurant near the State Capitol.

 

Eric S. Engel and Aleen Tomassian at PCPC Calif Lobby Day Reception

Some of the highlights of the 2018 PCPC California Lobby Day included a presentation by Meredith Williams, Deputy Director of Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), and Rick Brausch, Chief of DTSC’s Policy and Program Support Division, Hazardous Waste Management.  The mission of the DTSC is the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) program, directed toward advancing the design, development and use of products that are chemically safer for people and the environment.  The aim is to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products and create new business opportunities in green chemistry.

Dr. Williams advised the PCPC group that DTSC’s SCP program intends to focus over the next three years on nail salon products, particularly to assure a safe working environment for salon employees as well as customers, such as by assuring adequate ventilation and safety equipment.  Dr. Williams also noted that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are not only within the ambit of California’s Air Resources Board (ARB) as to their effect on the environment, but they are also within the scope of DTSC’s authority when regulation of VOCs can meaningfully enhance protection of human health.

On February 8, 2018, DTSC released a draft 2018-2020 Priority Product Work Plan for public review, in which “Beauty, Personal Care and Hygiene Products” are identified as targets for possible regulation.  Of some concern to PCPC, the Priority Product Work Plan includes DTSC’s interest in broad classifications of chemicals without defining exactly which chemicals in what formulations are of concern.  For example, DTSC’s Priority Product Work Plan identifies oxybenzone, BPA, DEA, formaldehyde, phthalates, parabens, triclosan, titanium dioxide, tolulene and VOCs as classes chemicals being considered for possible regulation, but there are a great many specific chemicals, formulations and uses within such classes, and not all of them are likely to be of concern to DTSC.  PCPC expressed its concern that broad classifications can cause confusion among manufacturers and consumers, and unnecessarily inhibit product development and sales.  For example, oxybenzone (aka Benophenone-3) is one of just 16 chemicals approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe and effective for use as an ultraviolet (UV) filter to achieve broad-spectrum sun protection.  The health benefits of effective UV sunscreens are well documented, but the broad suggestion of “endocrine toxicity” or “dermatoxicity” in DTSC’s identification of oxybenzone is on shaky scientific footing.  Dr. Williams noted that the 2018-2020 Priority Product Work Plan is only in draft form, and that DTSC recognizes the broad nature of the chemical groups identified and is working on identifying specific chemicals of concern rather than entire classes of chemicals.

DTSC’s Richard Brausch spoke of the hazardous waste logistics issues facing the personal care product industry, affecting the entire supply chain from manufacturers to retailers.  The issue often occurs when products are returned from retailers, and questions arise as to whether they may be regarded as hazardous waste if they are no longer considered fit for regular sale, such as when new product labeling is introduced.  Issues can arise as to who has responsibility for proper transportation and disposal of the products, whether by sale in secondary markets, repair or refurbishment, donation to charities or recycling.  It is notable here that improper transportation and disposal has led some local authorities to sue retailers and wholesalers for failing to use hazardous waste transporters.  That in turn has caused retailers to impose anticipatory disposal charges on manufacturers and wholesalers for a wide range of products.  PCPC therefore supports Assembly Member Bill Quirk’s introduction of new legislation, AB 2660, which places the onus on the disposal company to determine the correct method of transportation, as that is not within the expertise expected of retailers.

The overriding hazardous waste concern is that California uses an “aquatic toxicity” (aka “fish kill”) test that is grossly out of alignment with federal law, and which results in most cosmetic products being characterized as hazardous under California law.  The “fish kill” test is exactly like it sounds – it tests only whether quantities of the subject product added to a water tank will kill fathead minnows.  The test is not regarded as especially accurate, notably because high viscosity products that are otherwise harmless can kill the fish by clogging their gills.  Further, the test presents a significant problem for the personal care products industry, which has taken a strong stand against animal testing, so manufacturers generally do not conduct this “fish kill” test on finished products.  PCPC therefore advocates a more modern approach to accomplish the same goal, by use of a more recently developed fish embryo test (FET), in which live fish are not killed.

An interesting side note is that SB 1249 was introduced by Senator Cathleen Galgiani to prohibit importation or retail sale of any cosmetic that was developed or manufactured using animal testing after January 1, 2020.  While PCPC takes a strong stand against animal testing, it could not support the bill as written because it included no exception for products marketed in countries (notably China) which require that products be subject to animal testing.  Rather, the PCPC has been working to obtain an amendment of the proposed legislation to make it conform to that of the European Union, which has strong anti-animal testing regulations but allows for accommodations to make products acceptable for sale in China.

Dr. Michael Benjamin, Air Resources Board Chief of Air Quality Planning and Science spoke about the substantial product data that ARB had collected from product manufacturers selling in California, through extensive annual surveys conducted over the past three years.  From that data, ARB is working to identify trends in emissions of VOCs.  Of particular interest is a February 15, 2018 publication in the academic journal Science of a study of VOC emissions from consumer products.  The Science publication (Volatile Chemical Products Emerging as Largest Petrochemical Source of Urban Organic Emissions, by Brian C. McDonald, Joost A. de Gouw, Jessica B. Gilman and others), Science Vol. 35, Issue 6377, pp. 760-764 (Feb. 16, 2018)) caught popular attention and some popular press because it found that vehicle emissions had become so much cleaner over the past decades that they were now responsible for less than half of VOC emissions.  Overall, the total volume of VOCs had diminished greatly.  Further, while the Science article authors made many assumptions on which they based their assessment of VOC contributions of consumer products, Mr. Benjamin pointed out that ARB has the actual data from its industry surveys to determine whether the author’s assumptions and conclusions are well founded.  ARB therefore intends to do its own assessment of the points made in the Science article to determine what further action is appropriate.

PCPC’s first Legislator of the Year Awards were presented to Senator Ed Hernandez, Assembly Member Bill Quirk and Senator Galgiani.  In his comments to PCPC members, Senator Hernandez emphasized, “We want business to stay here in California, we want businesses to be successful.  There’s a lot of people here that purchase your products.”   Assemblyman Quirk addressed the need for common sense limitations on legislation such as Proposition 65, remarking that “[Someone] sent me a package of Coors beer with a Prop 65 warning on it.  We now have cases in court where people want Prop 65 warnings on coffee. * * * One study after another shows it’s not a health risk. * * * We’ve got to do something about this.  I’m definitely going to be working as time goes on in the legislature so that we don’t end up with things that are harmless being labeled.”  Finally, Senator Galgiani observed that good legislative policy is not a zero sum game:  “It’s not about having a proposal that’s just good for the environment or just good for business but we can meet in the middle and have regulations and policies that work for both sides and help everybody involved.  It’s just harder to get there – it takes more work, it takes more time and it takes patience, and all of you [at PCPC] have done a great job.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See the Beauty Industry Report article on the PCPC California Lobby Day here.

 

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DTSC Announces Proposed Priority Products Subject to California Green Chemistry Initiative

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The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has identified the first three groups of products that may become “Priority Products” subject to reporting and alternatives assessments requirements under California’s strict new Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Regulations.

The three groups of products on this initial list of proposed “Priority Products” are:

  • Children’s foam padded sleeping products containing the flame retardant Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP or Tris)
  • Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) systems containing unreacted diisocyanates
  • Paint and varnish strippers and surface cleaners containing methylene chloride

Rulemaking on the proposed “Priority Products” list is expected to begin in late June 2014, with the final “Priority Products” list to be finalized by the following year by adoption of regulations.

If the product-chemical combinations announced by DTSC end up on the list of final “Priority Products,” manufacturers and other responsible entities (including importers, assemblers and even retailers) of these products will be required to notify DTSC and either remove the product from sale, reformulate to remove or replace the chemical of concern in the product, or perform a complex “Alternatives Analysis” to retain the chemical in the product.

As widely expected, the initial “Priority Products” list targets children’s foam padded sleeping products containing the flame retardant Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP or Tris), such as nap mats and pads in soft-sided portable cribs, infant travel beds, portable infant sleepers, playards, play pens, bassinets and nap cots.

In addition, the initial “Priority Products” list targets all paint and varnish removers, paint and varnish strippers and surface cleaners that contain methylene chloride.  Spray polyurethane foam systems containing diisocyanates, both professional and consumer grade, are also proposed to be subject to regulation.  Such products are used for insulation, roofing, sealing and filling of voids and gaps.

TDCPP, methylene chloride, and toluene diisocynate are known carcinogens and exposures to the chemical to Californians above the no significant risk level require a warning under Proposition 65.  TDCPP was recently listed in October 2011 as a chemical regulated by Proposition 65.

The announcement of these three product groups as proposed “Priority Products” does not trigger any duty on product manufacturers until the DTSC finalizes the list of priority products by adopting regulations.  However, manufacturers of children’s foam padded sleeping products containing TDCPP, spray polyurethane foam systems containing diisocyanates, and paint and varnish strippers and surface cleaners containing methylene chloride are well advised to be proactive and take steps to determine whether the chemical can be removed from their products or replaced with a safer alternative chemical.

Conkle, Kremer & Engel regularly assists businesses to develop plans to ensure compliance with California’s ever-changing regulations, including the Safer Consumer Products Regulations and Green Chemistry Initiative.

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California Green Chemistry Initiative: Are You Manufacturing or Selling a “Priority Product”?

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The new Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulations require the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to initially identify up to five proposed “Priority Products” or categories of products containing what DTSC regards as “Chemicals of Concern.”  By April 1, 2014, DTSC will publish a list of Priority Products selected because of their use of one or more of 164 “Priority Chemicals” listed on the “Initial Candidate Chemicals” list.  Scroll to the bottom of this post for the full list of the 164 Priority Chemicals.

There will be a public review and comment period following publication of the Priority Products list.  It has been widely speculated that nail polish, formaldehyde-based hair straighteners, carpet adhesives and furniture seating foam are among the possible Priority Products that may be identified first by DTSC.

Once a product is identified as a Priority Product, manufacturers or other responsible entities (including importers, assemblers and even retailers) will be required to notify DTSC that their product is a priority product.  The manufacturer or other responsible entity then has some unpleasant options:  It can remove the product from sale, reformulate to remove or replace the chemical of concern in the product, or perform a complex “Alternatives Analysis” to retain the chemical in the product.  The Alternatives Analysis report must be submitted to DTCS for evaluation to determine if there are adverse environmental or public health impacts associated with the product that can be remedied by regulatory responses.  The regulatory responses could require product warnings to consumers, restrictions on the use of the chemical during manufacture, place of sale restrictions, administrative controls, further research regarding alternative ingredients, end-of-life disposal requirements, or even a ban on sales of the product in California.

Manufacturers, retailers, importers and assemblers of consumer products for sale or distribution in California should diligently keep informed about developments in the DTSC’s “Candidate Chemicals” list (currently 1,060 chemicals),  as well as the development of the Priority Products list.  Manufacturers should also consider whether reformulation of their products to exclude the priority chemicals from the “Initial Candidate Chemicals” list is possible.  In addition, it is important that businesses establish clear agreements among manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers and others in the supply chain specifying who will be responsible for complying with California’s tough new regulatory program, including responding to DTSC if a product is identified as a priority product.  Conkle, Kremer & Engel’s lawyers stay current on the latest developments, and guide the firm’s clients through the thicket of expanding regulatory issues affecting their businesses.

The 164 chemicals found on the “Initial Candidate Chemicals” list, from which the Priority Products will be identified by DTSC, are:

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane1,1,1-Trichloroethane; Methyl chloroform
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane1,1,2-Trichloroethane
1,1-Dichloroethane1,2,3-Trichloropropane
1,2-Diphenylhydrazine; Hydrazobenzene1,2-Epoxybutane
1,3-Butadiene1,3-Propane sultone; 1,2-Oxathiolane 2,2-dioxide
1,4-Dioxane2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)propane-1,3-diol
2,4,6-Trinitro-1,3-dimethyl-5-tert-butylbenzene; musk xylene2,4,6-Tri-tert-butylphenol
2,4.6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT)2?Acetylaminofluorene
2-Methylaziridine (Propyleneimine)2-Methylphenol, o-Cresol
2-Nitropropane3-Methylphenol; m-Cresol
4,4′-Methylenedianiline; 4,4’-Diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA)4-Bromophenyl phenyl ether, Bromophenyl Phenyl Ether
4-Nitrobiphenyl4-Tert-Octylphenol; 1,1,3,3-Tetramethyl-4-butylphenol
AcetaldehydeAcetamide
AcrylamideAcrylonitrile
Allyl chlorideAluminum
AnilineAromatic amines
Aromatic Azo CompoundsArsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds
Asbestos (all forms, including actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, tremolite)Benzene
Benzene, Halogenated derivativesBenzotrichloride
Benzyl chlorideBeryllium and Beryllium compounds
Biphenyl-3,3′,4,4′-tetrayltetraamine; DiaminobenzidineBisphenol A
Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether polymer; [2,2′-bis(2-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)phenyl)-propane]Bisphenol B;  (2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-n-butan)
BromateButylbenzyl phthalate and metabolite
Cadmium and cadmium compoundsCaptan
Carbon monoxideCarbon tetrachloride; CCl4
CatecholChlorendic acid
Chlorinated ParaffinsChlorine dioxide
ChloriteChloroalkyl ethers
Chloroethane; ethyl chlorideChloroprene; 2-chlorobuta-1,3-diene
Chromium hexavalent compounds (Cr (VI)Chromium trioxide
Cobalt metal without tungsten carbide (including dust and cobalt compounds)Cresols, Cresol mixtures
Cumene, [ isopropylbenzene]Cyanide and Cyanide compounds
Cyclotetrasiloxane; Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4)Diazomethane
Dibromoacetic acidDibutyl phthalate and metabolites
Dichloroacetic acidDichloroethylenes
Dichloromethane; methylene chlorideDicyclohexyl phthalate and metabolite
Diesel engine exhaustDiethanolamine
Diethyl hexyl phthalate and metabolitesDiethyl phthalate and metabolite
Diisobutyl phthalate and metaboliteDi-isodecyl phthalate and metabolite
Di-isononyl phthalate and metabolitesDimethyl sulfate
Dimethylcarbamoyl chlorideDinitrotoluenes
Di-n-Octyl Phthalate and metabolitesDodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)
Emissions, CokeovenEpichlorohydrin; 1-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane
Ethyl acrylateEthylbenzene
Ethylene dichloride; 1,2-DichloroethaneEthylene Glycol
Ethylene oxide; oxiraneEthylene Thiourea
Ethyleneimine, AziridineEthyl-tert-butyl ether
FormaldehydeFuel oils, high-sulfur; Heavy Fuel oil; (and other residual oils)
Gasoline (automotive, refined, processed, recovered, and other unspecified fractions)Glutaraldehyde
Glycol ethersGlycol ethers acetate
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and mixed isomersHexachlorobuta1,3-diene
HexachloroethaneHexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate
HexamethylphosphoramideHMX
Hydrazine, Hydrazine compounds and saltsHydrogen sulfide
Jet Fuels, JP-4, JP-5, JP-7 and JP-8Lead and Lead Compounds
Maleic anhydrideManganese and manganese compounds
Mercury and mercury compoundsMethanol
Methyl chlorideMethyl isobutyl ketone, Isopropyl acetone; (MIBK)
Methyl isocyanateMethylene diphenyl diisocyanates
Methylhydrazine and its saltsMethylnaphthalene; 2-Methylnaphthalene
Mineral Oils: Untreated and Mildly TreatedN,N-dimethylformamide; dimethyl formamide
N,N-DimethylhydrazineNaphthalene
n-HexaneNickel and Nickel Compounds; Nickel refinery dust from the pyrometallurgical process
Nickel oxidesNickel, metallic and alloys
Nitrate+NitriteNitrobenzene
NitrosaminesNonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NP/NPEs) (and related substances)
ParabensPentabromophenol
PerfluorochemicalsPetroleum; Crude oil
Phthalic anhydridePolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congenersPolychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs)
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-furans (PCDFs) and Furan CompoundsPolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Propylene oxideQuinoline and its strong acid salts
Silica, Crystalline (Respirable Size)Stoddard solvent; Low boiling point naphtha – unspecified;
Strong Inorganic Acid Mists Containing Sulfuric AcidStyrene and derrivatives
Sulfur dioxideTetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)
Tetrachloroethylene; Perchloroethylene; (PERC)Thallium
TolueneToluene Diisocyanates
Trichloroethene (TCE)Trihalomethanes
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP)Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate
Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP)Vanadium pentoxide
Vinyl acetateVinyl Bromide, Bromoethylene
Vinyl chloride; chloroethyleneXylenes; [o-xylene (95-47-6), m-xylene(108-38-3)and p-xylene (106-42-3)]

 

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