Response from: Michelle Cadieux    (08/12/08 7:55pm)

The NanoScale Materials Stewardship Seminar on August 13 is discussing new initiatives and collaborate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CALEPA) to implement mutually beneficial standards for nanoparticles.

At the beginning of this year, the USEPA launched its Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program to help provide a firmer scientific foundation for regulatory decisions by encouraging voluntary submission and development of information, including risk management practices for nanoscale materials. The stewardship program encourages participants – including manufacturers – to develop and report data on nanomaterials.

The State of California has also recently passed legislation affecting nanomaterial manufacturers. The new law calls for state agencies to collaborate with chemical manufacturers to develop information such as analytical test methods, fate and transport in the environment, bioconcentration and other relevant information for chemicals manufactured or imported in the State.

Jim Alwood, from USEPA’s Chemical Control Division in Washington, D.C., will discuss his agency’s nanotechnology program, including an overview of the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program. Dr. Jeff Wong, Chief Scientist for the CALEPA Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), will highlight the main provisions of the new state law and how the Department and the nano industry can work together in implementing it.