By Porter Wright on As originally reported here, EPA recently released its White Paper on nanotechnology and related issues. After reading through the White Paper, there are several interesting points that EPA makes.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Nanotechnology Law Report’s own John Monica was recently interviewed by Melina Vissat, the news editor of “The Rose Sheet,” published by FDC Reports and formally known as the Toiletries, Fragrances & Skin Care on-line trade report. The interview was a followup to John’s recent presentation on the perils of preemptive nanotechnology litigation at a recent … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The 2007 United Nations Environment Program "GEO Year Book 2007" report was recently released, which explicitly calls for nanotechnology regulation on a global scale. The abstract to the Year Book contains this overview: The emerging scientific and policy challenges of nanotechnology are examined from an environmental perspective. Nanotechnology will bring environmental benefits but it is … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on John Monica, Michael Heintz and I have recently had an article published in the magazine Nature Nanotechnology (Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 68-70 (Feb. 2007)) entitled "The Perils of Preemptive Regulation." The full text of the article is available here (subscription required). The lede/abstract of the article is: In its rush to introduce new regulations about … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On the heels of Berkeley, California’s decision last December to impose regulations on nanotechnology businesses, the Boston suburb of Cambridge, Mass — home to MIT and my alma mater, Harvard — is now looking at nanotechnology regulation. According to the linked article from the Boston Globe, it appears that the Cambridge City Council is aware of … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on I am pleased to announce that John Monica will be speaking on "The Possible Adverse Consequences of Pre-emptive Nanotechnology Regulation" at the two-day conference and workshop, Regulations for Nanotechnology in Consumer Products, February 8-9, 2007, Washington Marriott, Washington, D.C. This conference is aimed at those interested in doing more than simply scratching the surface of … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on The American Industrial Hygiene Assocation has identified nanotechnology safety as among its members’ top concerns for 2007, according to this report in Occupational Hazards. AIHA identified nanotechnology as an OSHA concern and characterized the concern this way: Nanotechnology – The increased use of nanotechnology for consumer products raises concerns that a clearer understanding is needed to … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on According to a December 21, 2006 press release, both outgoing House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and incoming Chairman Bart Gordon (D-NT) urged the Bush administration "to establish a research agenda with clear priorities to ensure a greater understanding of the potential environmental, health, and safety risks associated with nanotechnology." I suspect that in 2007, … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On December 5, 2006 the Berkeley, California City Council began considering two municipal code amendments directly addressing manufactured nanoparticles. As reported here earlier, the ordinance will amend two portions of the Berkeley Municipal Code, sections 15.12.040 and 15.12.050, to include reporting requirements for manufactured nanoparticles. Those required to report are all "facilities" who produce or use … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On December 5, 2006 the Berkeley, California City Council will have its first reading of an ordinance to amend its municipal laws to included specific regulation of nanoparticles. If passed, this would be the first known instance of nanoparticle regulation at the local level.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Since first being reported in the Washington Post, and relayed here, more information concerning EPA’s proposed regulation of nanosilver under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) has been uncovered.… Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on Rick Weiss reported in yesterday’s Washington Post that the EPA plans to regulate silver nanomaterials used in consumer products as "germ-killing" agents: The decision — which will affect the marketing of high-tech odor-destroying shoe liners, food-storage containers, air fresheners, washing machines and a wide range of other products that contain tiny bacteria-killing particles of silver … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on An October report authored by Michael R. Taylor, Esq., former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy (1991-1994) may not be warmly received by all nanomanufacturers. Taylor’s report focuses on what he sees as FDA’s three primary purposes in relation to nanotechnology: (1) ensure product safety; (2) foster innovation; and (3) maintain public confidence in nanoproducts. Taylor … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on On November 16, 2006, the American Bar Association held their second of eight teleconferences concerning the regulation of nanomaterials. The teleconference, moderated by Lynn L. Bergeson, entitled Nanotechnology: What You Need to Know on the Law, Regulation, and Science Policy Front , consisted of a three member panel, representing three different regulatory perspectives. The panel … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on AUTHORED BY MICHAEL HEINTZ Nanomaterials are becoming an increasing part of everyday life. Even now, man-made materials that measure one ten-thousandth the diameter of a human hair are found in products from computer chips and pesticides to stain-resistant fabrics and shampoo. As such, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is beginning to study the scientific properties … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on In the September 2006 edition of Nanotechnology Law & Business, two (2) employees of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (“CDER”) — Nakissa Sadrieh and Parvaneh Espandiari — published “Nanotechnology and the FDA: What Are the Scientific and Regulatory Considerations for Products Containing Nanomaterials?” The article begins with a disclaimer that the authors’ views … Continue Reading
By Porter Wright on According to a FDAnews Device Daily Bulletin dated October 30, 2006, Philippe Martin, principal administrator for the EC’s nanotechnology and policy efforts, recently advocated international cooperation and self-regulation in the world-wide nanotechnology industry. Martin was quoted as saying that the “U.S. industry’s ‘catch me if you can’ approach to dealing with regulators is not useful.” … Continue Reading
