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Focuses on two rules from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which would affect companies' report releases of extremely hazardous substances. Chemicals removed from the list of extremely hazardous substances; EPA contact information.

Reports on the highlights of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) updated hazardous-communications standard which protects 32 million workers and covers 650,000 dangerous chemicals. Efforts to making Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available; Filing of MSDSs for pharmaceuticals; Elimination of nuisance particulates; Nonmandatory appendix.

Reports on the enforcement directive on emergency response operations for hazardous substance releases issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Requirements under the directive; Legal requirements of the toxic waste clean-up program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Focuses on the plan by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to post on the Internet worst-case scenarios on accidental release of hazardous chemicals in plants and facilities in the United States. Concerns by the Chemical Manufacturers Association, Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation; Threat of terrorism; Discussions of the Accident Prevention Subcommittee.

Reports on the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) approval of a voluntary industry standard for material safety data sheets (MSDS) uniformity. Development of consistent hazard warning information for users and handlers of toxic chemicals; MSDS as required for hazardous chemicals under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) hazard communication standard; Categories of information.

Reports that petrochemical facilities and other entities in the United States that use or store toxic or flammable chemicals will be required to reveal all contingency measures they have in place in cases of accidents at their facilities. Regulation by the US Environmental Protection Agency; Aim to improve accident prevention and risk reduction through assessment of processes.

The article reports that U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has re-launched Local Emphasis Program to target employers in Nebraska that use hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde or methylene chloride and mentions the program aims to educate employers on chemical hazards.

The article reports on the success achieved by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) on eliminating the proposed requirement of the U.S. Department of Transportation for travel agents to notify passengers about restrictions on hazardous materials in checked or carry-on baggage.

The article reports that the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has filed a petition to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking to overturn the disclosure and acknowledgement provisions of the Hazardous Materials Rule of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The article focuses on regulatory developments in plastic additives in China. An overview of the European Union directive RoHS2, which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, is provided. Information about the Five-Year environmental protection plan in China, along with core themes, is also offered.

The article focuses on the plan of some materials recovery facility (MRF) operators to sell secondary plastics to houses due to the continuing issues of exporting materials. Topics discussed include the avoidance of low-grade materials by Chinese consumers due to the enforcement of its government to reduce shipments of hazardous materials, the decline of plastic demand in India due to the change in import/export policy of plastic scrap, and the high demand of scrap plastic in Canada and Europe.

The article announces a contest for the identification and reduction of hazardous materials in the workplace held by the German federal ministry of labor and social matters (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales) with a prize to be awarded on November 24, 2014.

The article offers information on the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) conference on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) that will be held on September 25, 2013.

The article discusses the launch of the Unified Registration Sytem (URS) by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It says that the URS is an online system for registration process in FMCSA. Moreover, it serves as an information depository and clearinghouse to all agency-regulated entities including freight forwarders, hazardous materials safety permit (HMSP), and motor carriers.

The article discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning reusable towels used by automobile shops and printing plants. It reasserts the prevailing view that reusable towels should not be included in the hazardous waste materials. The EPA has ruled that disposable wipes, previously considered hazardous waste, be treated as solid waste. More freedom from regulatory burdens gained by the manufacturers of reusable towels and disposable wipes is also cited.

The article reports that civil penalties for hazardous substance violations have been increased by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

The article reports that the annual hazardous substances registration fee of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has been lessened.

Two letters to the editor are presented in response to articles on the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the National Airspace System by Emily Feliz in the September 2012 issue, and the European Union policy's on Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive by Walter Shawlee.

The article reports on the possibility that buyers in Indonesia will stop importing ferrous scrap for the rest of 2012. The government's efforts to control toxic chemicals and other dangerous materials has led to severe delays in getting materials cleared through customs. About 120,000 tonnes of ferrous scrap were held up at several ports in the country.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require companies to report new use of five potentially harmful chemicals including polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), benzidine dyes, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).

The article reports on the alignment of the Hazard Communication standard with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The move was announced by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Chemical manufacturers and importers are required under the Hazard Communication standard of OSHA to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import.

The article reports on the issuance of Emergency Restriction Prohibition Order in November 2011 by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The article reports that the Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control of the U.S. Housing & Urban Development has launched the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program identify and control lead-based paint hazards.

The article reviews the periodical "DOT/PHMSA Hazardous Materials Regulation."

The article reports on the plan of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulation (HMR) to align it with the international standards of the United Nation's (UN) Model. PHMSA proposed to change shipping names, packing groups, hazard classes, air transport quantity limits and vessel stowage. Moreover, PHMSA officials also proposes to update incorporation through reference of the Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

The article reports on the changes proposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for truck drivers' hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement in the U.S.

The article reports on the acceptance of orders by Labelmaster for the new 2010 edition of the "International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, a requirement for all watercrafts that ship dangerous goods, hazmat in international waters.

This section presents news briefs on policies in the corrosion control and materials industry worldwide. The European Chemicals Agency's Member State Committee has added 15 chemicals of very high concern to the list of substances that require authorization. The International Center for Integrated Water Resources Management of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been designated as a Category 2 Water Center. The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has agreed to establish Responsible Care program with the American Chemistry Council (ACC).

The article reports on the announcement by the Department of Transportation on October 20, 2009 on the 20.9 million dollars award in grants for the improvement of emergency response to transportation incidents related to hazardous materials. It notes that the grant money is to aid responders during incidents on hazardous materials and for the safety challenges laid by new chemicals and alternative energy products. It also notes that the funds are from the user fees by shippers and carriers.

The article focuses on the impact of phosphate mining on the health of families and environment in Southeast Idaho. It explores the danger of toxic contamination among the people, land and animals due to construction of phosphate mining in the area. For the residents families ranchers in Crow Creek, their fight is an ethical battle towards a toxic free zone for the next generation.

The article focuses on environmental policies established by the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama. The policy changes made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led by Lisa Jackson are mentioned. The administration is said to have imposed policies on greenhouse gas emissions, launched efforts to address water pollution and is preparing toxic-chemicals policies. Other environmental issues discussed include the coal ash problem and air pollution.

The article reports that the Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand has classified the Chemical Classification Information Database (CCID) in accordance with the New Zealand Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) regulations, using the best data available at the time. It relates the purpose of the CCID classification. Information on the HSNO hazard classifications is presented.

The article provides information on the proposed rule by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, which intends to narrow the list of hazardous materials that can be transformed and set forth a rigorous security planning and personnel training.

The article reports on the announcements of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's administration about federal action on toxic chemicals in Canada. The announcements have included a national biomonitoring program, new money for toxic chemical evaluation and clear recognition of important issues such as the vulnerability of children and toxic chemicals in consumer products and environmental health. The announcements are said to focus mainly on meeting legal obligations. In addition, under a deadline set by the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Environment Canada and Health Canada has reviewed 23,000 substances for seven years to shortlist those of greatest concern.

The article reports that the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) proposed by Canadian Trucking Alliance company to the U.S. as a hazardous material background check requirements to prevent terrorist acts from happening in the U.S. Under the proposal, Canadian drivers who will enter the U.S. territory would use their FAST commercial driver cards as evidence of having undergone security check.

The article reports on the consideration of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration to require truck drivers to have a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) in order to get in maritime facilities. Under the plan, drivers holding a hazardous materials endorsement and have completed security threat assessment for TWIC would not be required to undergo a new threat assessment until their hazardous materials endorsement expires.

The article evaluates Amphenol Industrial Operations' Amphe-Lite connectors that meet with the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances requirements for lead-free components.

Reports on the efforts U.S. Department of Transportation's Office of Pipeline Safety to address risks related to hazardous-materials pipelines. Proposed integrity management, a risk-based approach to pipeline safety and security; Concept of the system; Inspection procedures.

Discusses the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia's ruling on a lawsuit filed by the environmental group, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund, against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Inadequacy of the EPA's toxic air-emission standards for hazardous waste-burning cement kilns and incinerators.

Focuses on Ontario government's decision to update exposure limits for hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Recommendations of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists; Restriction of the amount and duration of workers' exposure to hazardous chemical substances.

Reports on the possible removal of phosphoric acid from the list of chemicals under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Release Inventory program following a court battle initiated by the Fertilizer Institute. Court ruling reversing the agency's decision to keep the chemical in the list.