First GHG Emissions Standards for Commercial Aircraft Proposed by EPA
On July 22, 2020, the EPA proposed the first greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for new commercial aircraft that will apply to all large passenger jets.
Category: Regulatory Developments
OSHA Revises Its Procedures for Medical Record Access
On July 30, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) revised its internal procedures for accessing employee medical records. The final rule shifts the authority for access from the assistant secretary of occupational safety and health to the OSHA medical records officer (MRO) (85 Federal Register 45780).
EPA Releases Final Changes to Clean Water Act’s Water Qualifications Rule
On July 13, 2020, the EPA published its final rule “to update and clarify the substantive and procedural requirements for water quality certification under Clean Water Act (CWA or the Act) section 401.”
Virginia Is First State to Adopt Emergency COVID-19 Standard
In a break with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Virginia became the first state to adopt an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Virginia’s COVID-19 ETS applies to every employer in the state, unlike California’s Airborne Transmissible Disease (ATD) standard, which only applies to correctional facilities, funeral homes and […]
OSHA Issues Final Rule for Beryllium in General Industry
On July 14, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule amending the general industry standard for beryllium (85 FR 42582). The final rule revises an “eleventh-hour” Obama administration rulemaking issued on January 9, 2017.
EPA Releases Spring 2020 Regulatory Agenda, Priorities
The EPA has released its Spring 2020 Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. Known as the Spring Agenda, this report provides public updates about planned regulatory activity for the federal government for the next 12 months.
EPA Issues Rule Moving Forward with PFAS Protections
The EPA issued a final rule in its Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan on June 22, 2020. This means that certain products that could contain harmful PFAS cannot be imported, produced, sold, or manufactured in the United States without EPA approval or the Agency imposing certain restrictions that would address unacceptable risks. Examples […]
EPA Issues Final Evaluation for Methylene Chloride
The EPA issued its final risk evaluation for methylene chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on June 24, 2020. The EPA findings indicate that methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane and methylene dichloride) poses threats to human health and safety in 47 out of the 53 types of uses reviewed, including threats to […]
A Look at EPA Deregulation Related to Pandemic Relief EO
Executive Order (EO) 13924, issued in response to COVID-19 by President Donald Trump on May 19, 2020, authorized federal agencies to provide regulatory relief to support recovery of the economy. Trump characterized this order as giving agencies “tremendous power” to cut regulations seen to hinder economic recovery.
Addition of Bromopropane to Hazardous Air Pollutant List a Historical First for EPA
The EPA made history on June 18, 2020, when it granted a petition to add bromopropane to its list of hazardous air pollutants.