Pesticides and chemicals are subject to numerous laws covering everything from import and production to reporting and disposal. Federal laws governing the substances have been on the books for decades — notably the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). But states, too — including Maine and California — are increasingly adopting green chemistry laws that regulate the production and labeling of chemicals in consumer products.
McGuireWoods attorneys have handled many matters with issues related to the regulation of pesticides and chemicals, including:
In addition, together with our colleagues in McGuireWoods Consulting, we are monitoring the latest congressional efforts to reform TSCA through the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. Meanwhile, through our office in London, we remain abreast of developments related to REACH, the European Commission’s law on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances, a 2006 law that imposes greater responsibility on industry to manage the risks from chemicals and to provide safety information on the substances.