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EPA Issues Final Significant New Use Rules for Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Citing Carcinogenicity Concerns

EPA Issues Final Significant New Use Rules for Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Citing Carcinogenicity Concerns

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published final Significant New Use Rules (SNUR) for certain chemical substances, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PMN P-23-105). These rules, effective January 4, 2027, mandate that any person intending to manufacture or process these nanotubes for a designated significant new use must notify the EPA at least 90 days prior to commencing the activity. The EPA's action is based on an Order issued under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The SNUR specifies requirements for workplace protection, hazard communication, and industrial, commercial, and consumer activities. Notably, the hazard communication requirements indicate that this substance may cause eye irritation, skin sensitization, respiratory sensitization, specific target organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity, genetic toxicity, and carcinogenicity. For industrial, commercial, and consumer activities, it is a significant new use to manufacture, process, or use the substance in solid form...
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German Environmental Aid Organization Sues Shein Over Chemical Content in Clothing

German Environmental Aid Organization Sues Shein Over Chemical Content in Clothing

German Environmental Aid Organization Sues Shein Over Chemical Content in Clothing
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Congresswoman Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Mandate Microplastic Disclosure in Clothing

Congresswoman Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Mandate Microplastic Disclosure in Clothing

Congresswoman Nancy Mace has introduced the Clothing Microplastic Transparency Act of 2026. This legislation aims to require clothing companies to disclose the estimated microplastic content in their products. According to Congresswoman Mace, current clothing labels provide fiber content but lack information on microplastics, which have become a growing health concern. The proposed bill mandates that companies selling clothing must use a stamp, tag, label, or similar identification to reveal the estimated mass of microplastics in each item. Furthermore, it directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to establish regulations within one year of the bill's enactment. These regulations will include a standardized test method for companies to estimate microplastic content. Violations of this act would be considered unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, with enforcement handled by the FTC.
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EPA Reduces Environmental Oversight and NEPA Implementation Following Policy Shifts

EPA Reduces Environmental Oversight and NEPA Implementation Following Policy Shifts

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has significantly scaled back its implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its cross-agency environmental oversight. This reduction in activity is attributed to both policy decisions and a decrease in agency staffing levels, which fell by over 13% in 2025. Historically, the EPA provided crucial comments on other agencies' environmental decisions, identifying unforeseen impacts and suggesting mitigation measures. However, recent guidance from EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi in June 2026 asserts that the EPA has 'broad discretion' in commenting or choosing not to comment, emphasizing that the primary responsibility for environmental review rests with the other agencies. Consequently, the EPA has, in many instances, ceased issuing meaningful substantive comments on other federal agencies' environmental decisions, even responding with 'no comments' to significant projects like a draft EIS for a uranium enrichment facility and a pro...
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Food Beverage Industry Faces Critical Water Management Challenges Amidst Stricter Regulations

Food Beverage Industry Faces Critical Water Management Challenges Amidst Stricter Regulations

Food Beverage Industry Faces Critical Water Management Challenges Amidst Stricter Regulations
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Iowa State Bar Association to Host Environmental Law Seminar Addressing Emerging Technologies and Regulations

Iowa State Bar Association to Host Environmental Law Seminar Addressing Emerging Technologies and Regulations

The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) is set to host its 2026 Environmental Law Seminar on November 13. This seminar will delve into how emerging technologies, energy development, and environmental regulations are collectively shaping Iowa's legal landscape. Legal professionals attending the event will gain insights from experts on current developments and the legal challenges these changes present for their clients. The program, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers attendees the flexibility to participate in person at the Boyd Law Building in Iowa City or the ISBA Building in Des Moines, or virtually via a live webinar. Lunch will be provided for those attending in person. The seminar features a lineup of environmental regulators, practicing attorneys, and academics who will discuss timely issues in environmental and energy law, including a conversation with Iowa’s energy leaders, the intersection of AI technology with environmental and energy law, an EPA update, and discussions on developing energy in...
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EU Implements Stricter Greenwashing Regulations, Withdraws Green Claims Directive

EU Implements Stricter Greenwashing Regulations, Withdraws Green Claims Directive

EU Implements Stricter Greenwashing Regulations, Withdraws Green Claims Directive
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Reusable Bags' Effectiveness Hinges on Consistent Everyday Use, Not Just Purchase

Reusable Bags' Effectiveness Hinges on Consistent Everyday Use, Not Just Purchase

Reusable Bags' Effectiveness Hinges on Consistent Everyday Use, Not Just Purchase
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3M Agrees to Landmark $7.35 Billion Settlement for PFAS Personal Injury Claims

3M Agrees to Landmark $7.35 Billion Settlement for PFAS Personal Injury Claims

3M has reached a landmark settlement in the United States, agreeing to commit up to $7.35 billion over nine years to resolve personal injury claims related to PFAS contamination. This agreement, announced by 3M and reported by the Associated Press, aims to provide compensation to as many as 120,000 individuals who allege that exposure to contaminated water led to serious health conditions. The settlement establishes a structured framework for resolving these claims, without 3M admitting wrongdoing. It specifically addresses individual personal injury claims, distinct from previous settlements concerning broader public water system contamination. Eligible claimants will need to meet specific criteria and provide documentation, with payments determined by the severity and type of alleged injury. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are known as 'forever chemicals' due to their resistance to breakdown in the environment and human body, and have been linked to various health risks including certain ca...
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Court Rejects Government's Authority to Unilaterally Dismiss Citizen Suits in X.AI Data Center Case

Court Rejects Government's Authority to Unilaterally Dismiss Citizen Suits in X.AI Data Center Case

A district court has rejected the U.S. government's motion to unilaterally dismiss a citizen suit filed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) against X.AI and MZX Tech, LLC. The lawsuit alleges that the MZX Colossus Gas Plant in Southaven, Mississippi, which powers an X.AI data center, is operating in violation of the Clean Air Act by using portable gas turbines without required stationary source permits. The government intervened in the case, arguing that its right to intervene under the Clean Air Act includes the power to dismiss citizen suits, citing enforcement discretion and Article II of the U.S. Constitution. However, the court ruled that the Clean Air Act's text does not grant the government unilateral dismissal power, emphasizing the statute's provisions for citizen participation and diligent prosecution. Additionally, the court rejected X.AI's argument that its turbines are 'mobile sources' exempt from permitting, stating that the relevant regulations define 'm...
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Federal Judge Rules Alaska Gold Mine Permit Unlawful, Demands Further Information

Federal Judge Rules Alaska Gold Mine Permit Unlawful, Demands Further Information

Federal Judge Rules Alaska Gold Mine Permit Unlawful, Demands Further Information
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EPA Proposes Exemptions for Article Importers and Enhanced Monitoring of Fluorinated Compounds in Environmental Compliance

EPA Proposes Exemptions for Article Importers and Enhanced Monitoring of Fluorinated Compounds in Environmental Compliance

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed revisions to environmental compliance regulations, specifically suggesting exemptions for certain article importers and modifications to other reporting requirements. These proposed changes are part of a broader effort to refine the reporting framework for substances like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). While these exemptions are proposed and not yet final, they indicate a potential shift in how certain imported goods containing fluorinated compounds are regulated. Currently, over 200 individual PFAS are subject to TRI reporting, classified as chemicals of special concern with a 100-pound reporting threshold per listed chemical or category, and are ineligible for the de minimis exemption or simplified Form A filing. This means even trace quantities of PFAS must be considered when evaluating reporting thresholds.