EPA Proposes Updates to Strengthen the Safer Choice Standard
WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed updates to the Safer Choice Standard, which identifies the requirements that products and their ingredients must meet to earn EPA's Safer Choice label or Design for the Environment (DfE) logo. The Agency is requesting public comments on the proposed updates by Jan. 16, 2024, and will hold a webinar on Dec. 19, 2023, to provide information on proposed updates to the Standard.
The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers for facilities, such as schools and office buildings, find cleaners, detergents, and other products made with chemical ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Similarly, the DfE program helps people find disinfectants that meet high standards for human health and the environment.
“The Safer Choice program continues to encourage safer and greener chemistry in the marketplace to safeguard human health and protect the environment,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “These proposed updates to the Safer Choice Standard will increase transparency, safety, and sustainability in consumer and commercial products.”
EPA’s proposed updates to the Standard include:
New certification for cleaning service providers that use Safer Choice- and DfE-certified products to help protect workers that use cleaning products all day as well as the people who live or work in the spaces they clean.
Strengthening sustainable packaging requirements in response to consumer demand and innovations in packaging materials and technologies.
Expanded criteria specific to pet care products to ensure such products use only the safest possible ingredients for both humans and pets.
Clarifying language on EPA’s process for entering product classes and exiting those that pose unexpected risks despite safer chemistry.
Clarifying language regarding the use of data from New Approach Methodologies during Safer Choice chemical review.
New, optional energy efficiency or use reduction criteria to encourage companies to reduce water use and carbon-based energy consumption.
Updated criteria for wipe products to help reduce damage to wastewater treatment systems.
Potential creation of a new alternate logo, similar to the Fragrance-Free logo, to distinguish products used outdoors that meet additional EPA criteria for environmental safety.
EPA periodically updates the Standard to keep current with the state of scientific and technological innovation; increase transparency and reduce redundancy; and expand the scope of the program as appropriate. This will be EPA’s fourth update of the Standard since its inception in 2009, and the first since 2015.
On Dec. 19, 2023, 2-3 p.m. ET, EPA will hold a webinar to provide further information on the proposed updates to the Standard. The webinar may be of interest to stakeholders interested in commenting on the updates, including manufacturers and distributors, retailers, community groups and representatives from states, Tribal Nations, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and others. Register here for the webinar.
Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, comments should be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0520 on Regulations.gov by Jan. 16, 2024.
EPA will use the written comments to guide updates to the Standard.
Safer Choice
Safer Choice encourages chemistry that meets EPA’s stringent criteria for human health and the environment and provides opportunities for companies to differentiate their products in the marketplace with the Safer Choice label. With thousands of certified products, the Safer Choice label is a reliable way for people to find products whose chemical ingredients have met EPA’s criteria for being safer without sacrificing performance. Visit the Safer Choice program website for more information.
Design for the Environment
Similar to the Safer Choice label, EPA’s DfE logo helps people identify antimicrobial products like disinfectants that meet the health and safety standards of the normal pesticide registration process required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act as well as meeting the DfE certification criteria (as described in the Safer Choice Standard). When a person sees EPA’s DfE logo on a product, they can feel confident that the product performs and meets stringent EPA criteria for human health and the environment. Visit the Design for the Environment website for more information.
The Safer Choice program helps consumers and purchasers for facilities, such as schools and office buildings, find cleaners, detergents, and other products made with chemical ingredients that are safer for human health and the environment. Similarly, the DfE program helps people find disinfectants that meet high standards for human health and the environment.
“The Safer Choice program continues to encourage safer and greener chemistry in the marketplace to safeguard human health and protect the environment,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention Jennie Romer. “These proposed updates to the Safer Choice Standard will increase transparency, safety, and sustainability in consumer and commercial products.”
EPA’s proposed updates to the Standard include:
New certification for cleaning service providers that use Safer Choice- and DfE-certified products to help protect workers that use cleaning products all day as well as the people who live or work in the spaces they clean.
Strengthening sustainable packaging requirements in response to consumer demand and innovations in packaging materials and technologies.
Expanded criteria specific to pet care products to ensure such products use only the safest possible ingredients for both humans and pets.
Clarifying language on EPA’s process for entering product classes and exiting those that pose unexpected risks despite safer chemistry.
Clarifying language regarding the use of data from New Approach Methodologies during Safer Choice chemical review.
New, optional energy efficiency or use reduction criteria to encourage companies to reduce water use and carbon-based energy consumption.
Updated criteria for wipe products to help reduce damage to wastewater treatment systems.
Potential creation of a new alternate logo, similar to the Fragrance-Free logo, to distinguish products used outdoors that meet additional EPA criteria for environmental safety.
EPA periodically updates the Standard to keep current with the state of scientific and technological innovation; increase transparency and reduce redundancy; and expand the scope of the program as appropriate. This will be EPA’s fourth update of the Standard since its inception in 2009, and the first since 2015.
On Dec. 19, 2023, 2-3 p.m. ET, EPA will hold a webinar to provide further information on the proposed updates to the Standard. The webinar may be of interest to stakeholders interested in commenting on the updates, including manufacturers and distributors, retailers, community groups and representatives from states, Tribal Nations, non-profit organizations, trade associations, and others. Register here for the webinar.
Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, comments should be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0520 on Regulations.gov by Jan. 16, 2024.
EPA will use the written comments to guide updates to the Standard.
Safer Choice
Safer Choice encourages chemistry that meets EPA’s stringent criteria for human health and the environment and provides opportunities for companies to differentiate their products in the marketplace with the Safer Choice label. With thousands of certified products, the Safer Choice label is a reliable way for people to find products whose chemical ingredients have met EPA’s criteria for being safer without sacrificing performance. Visit the Safer Choice program website for more information.
Design for the Environment
Similar to the Safer Choice label, EPA’s DfE logo helps people identify antimicrobial products like disinfectants that meet the health and safety standards of the normal pesticide registration process required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act as well as meeting the DfE certification criteria (as described in the Safer Choice Standard). When a person sees EPA’s DfE logo on a product, they can feel confident that the product performs and meets stringent EPA criteria for human health and the environment. Visit the Design for the Environment website for more information.
EPA takes action for noncompliance with Ocean Dumping Act
BOSTON (Nov. 13, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has settled an administrative penalty action issued against Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., LLC for violations of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act ("MPRSA") (commonly known as the Ocean Dumping Act) relating to dredging for the Portsmouth Harbor Federal Navigation Project in a manner inconsistent with authorizations issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"). Specifically, EPA alleged that on March 20, 2022, dredged material was dumped at a location outside of the authorized ocean disposal site in the Gulf of Maine near Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire.
Under the terms of the settlement, Great Lakes has agreed to pay a penalty of $92,500 and to undertake mitigation projects designed to prevent future "misdumps." The mitigation projects, which are estimated to cost more than $100,000, involve retrofitting Great Lakes' scows with an electronic "fencing" system and installing additional preventative measures such as secondary dump initiation buttons, which require two steps to initiate every dumping sequence.
"Proper disposal of dredged material plays a vital part in protecting our oceans," said EPA New England Administrator David W. Cash. "EPA works to enforce statutory provisions to protect the marine environment while maintaining safe maritime navigation."
Electronic fencing systems are designed to greatly reduce the element of human error, a common cause of MPRSA misdumping. Other than in emergency situations where the system needs to be overridden, the electronic fencing system prevents a scow from opening except in the approved area within the MPRSA-designated disposal site.
Federal agencies view misdumps such as in this case as significant violations because the failure to fully comply with the dredged material permit undermines the integrity of the Ocean Dumping Act's regulatory structure and may cause temporary or even permanent harm to the marine environment.
The Ocean Dumping Act authorizes EPA to designate dredged material disposal sites for long-term use, but only after extensive environmental studies and public participation, and each site has its own site management and monitoring plan. Disposal is strictly prohibited outside these sites because of the potential for irreparable harm to the marine environment, and the difficulty in assessing what those impacts may be. This action stemming from noncompliance with the Ocean Dumping Act was the result of a coordinated investigation by EPA and the USACE, which issues permits and contract specifications for the disposal of dredged material.
The passage of the Ocean Dumping Act in 1972 marked a major milestone in the protection of the marine environment. The Act bans ocean disposal of a number of materials (such as radiological, chemical, and biological warfare agents) and requires a permit for the ocean dumping of certain other materials. Today, most of the material ocean dumped from the United States is dredged material (sediments removed from the bottom of water bodies to maintain the nation's navigation system). The dredged material is extensively tested prior to disposal to ensure minimal potential for impacts to the marine environment.
Companies contracted to dredge harbors and other waterways are instructed to carefully follow all state and federal authorization requirements and contract specifications for both the removal and disposal of dredged sediments. To avoid misdump incidents such as in this case, contractors must ensure that the dredging, transportation, and disposal of sediments are carefully performed. Contractors and subcontractors must also ensure that that they are adjusting loading levels to match sea conditions; properly maintaining the equipment used for transporting dredged material; closely following site management and monitoring plans designed to avoid impacts to ecologically sensitive areas; and that dredging crews are well trained.
EPA and the USACE will continue to work closely with the dredging community to ensure that these practices are followed and to seek improvements in the dredging process whenever possible.
Under the terms of the settlement, Great Lakes has agreed to pay a penalty of $92,500 and to undertake mitigation projects designed to prevent future "misdumps." The mitigation projects, which are estimated to cost more than $100,000, involve retrofitting Great Lakes' scows with an electronic "fencing" system and installing additional preventative measures such as secondary dump initiation buttons, which require two steps to initiate every dumping sequence.
"Proper disposal of dredged material plays a vital part in protecting our oceans," said EPA New England Administrator David W. Cash. "EPA works to enforce statutory provisions to protect the marine environment while maintaining safe maritime navigation."
Electronic fencing systems are designed to greatly reduce the element of human error, a common cause of MPRSA misdumping. Other than in emergency situations where the system needs to be overridden, the electronic fencing system prevents a scow from opening except in the approved area within the MPRSA-designated disposal site.
Federal agencies view misdumps such as in this case as significant violations because the failure to fully comply with the dredged material permit undermines the integrity of the Ocean Dumping Act's regulatory structure and may cause temporary or even permanent harm to the marine environment.
The Ocean Dumping Act authorizes EPA to designate dredged material disposal sites for long-term use, but only after extensive environmental studies and public participation, and each site has its own site management and monitoring plan. Disposal is strictly prohibited outside these sites because of the potential for irreparable harm to the marine environment, and the difficulty in assessing what those impacts may be. This action stemming from noncompliance with the Ocean Dumping Act was the result of a coordinated investigation by EPA and the USACE, which issues permits and contract specifications for the disposal of dredged material.
The passage of the Ocean Dumping Act in 1972 marked a major milestone in the protection of the marine environment. The Act bans ocean disposal of a number of materials (such as radiological, chemical, and biological warfare agents) and requires a permit for the ocean dumping of certain other materials. Today, most of the material ocean dumped from the United States is dredged material (sediments removed from the bottom of water bodies to maintain the nation's navigation system). The dredged material is extensively tested prior to disposal to ensure minimal potential for impacts to the marine environment.
Companies contracted to dredge harbors and other waterways are instructed to carefully follow all state and federal authorization requirements and contract specifications for both the removal and disposal of dredged sediments. To avoid misdump incidents such as in this case, contractors must ensure that the dredging, transportation, and disposal of sediments are carefully performed. Contractors and subcontractors must also ensure that that they are adjusting loading levels to match sea conditions; properly maintaining the equipment used for transporting dredged material; closely following site management and monitoring plans designed to avoid impacts to ecologically sensitive areas; and that dredging crews are well trained.
EPA and the USACE will continue to work closely with the dredging community to ensure that these practices are followed and to seek improvements in the dredging process whenever possible.
EPA Settlement Requires Action be Taken to Prevent Leaks, Secures Nearly $300,000 Penalty to Settle Alleged Clean Air Act Violations at Peerless Oil and Chemicals Inc. in Puerto Rico
NEW YORK – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached a settlement with Peerless Oil and Chemicals Inc for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at its Peñuelas, Puerto Rico facility. The settlement requires Peerless to inspect its gasoline storage tanks and monitor for potential emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) using an infrared camera for the next 12 months. In addition, Peerless must pay $287,756 in penalties.
“The settlement requires the company to regularly monitor for and stop the release of any major hazardous air pollutants, protecting communities near this facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Residents will breathe cleaner air as a result of the upgrades and long-term monitoring that were done at this facility under this settlement.”
During inspections in 2018 and 2019, EPA found that Peerless had violated the CAA by not controlling HAPs from its petroleum storage and loading terminal in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. EPA detected elevated levels of HAPs and other harmful gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the facility and identified problems with pollution control equipment for gasoline storage tanks such as faulty seals and seal gaps, and problems with the operation of the flare at the gasoline truck loading station.
In response to the EPA’s investigation, Peerless did extensive maintenance and repair work to upgrade its gasoline truck loading station flare and ensure compliance with emission control requirements for its internal floating roof and external floating roof gasoline storage tanks.
As part of the investigation, Peerless purchased a specialized infrared (IR) camera and a tablet capable of converting camera observations into parts per million (ppm) concentration values. The IR camera will be used as a screening tool to identify leaking components at storage tanks, enabling prompt corrective action and compliance with applicable regulations.
The settlement includes innovative approaches, such as requiring Peerless to conduct monthly tank inspections with the IR camera for a 12-month period, taking corrective action if any emissions are observed.
Peerless has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for operating the IR camera, a tank inspection checklist for camera operators, and has trained additional employees to use the IR camera. Peerless agreed to pay a civil penalty and inspect its gasoline storage tanks monthly using an infrared (IR) camera to ensure compliance and prevent future emissions.
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“The settlement requires the company to regularly monitor for and stop the release of any major hazardous air pollutants, protecting communities near this facility,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “Residents will breathe cleaner air as a result of the upgrades and long-term monitoring that were done at this facility under this settlement.”
During inspections in 2018 and 2019, EPA found that Peerless had violated the CAA by not controlling HAPs from its petroleum storage and loading terminal in Peñuelas, Puerto Rico. EPA detected elevated levels of HAPs and other harmful gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the facility and identified problems with pollution control equipment for gasoline storage tanks such as faulty seals and seal gaps, and problems with the operation of the flare at the gasoline truck loading station.
In response to the EPA’s investigation, Peerless did extensive maintenance and repair work to upgrade its gasoline truck loading station flare and ensure compliance with emission control requirements for its internal floating roof and external floating roof gasoline storage tanks.
As part of the investigation, Peerless purchased a specialized infrared (IR) camera and a tablet capable of converting camera observations into parts per million (ppm) concentration values. The IR camera will be used as a screening tool to identify leaking components at storage tanks, enabling prompt corrective action and compliance with applicable regulations.
The settlement includes innovative approaches, such as requiring Peerless to conduct monthly tank inspections with the IR camera for a 12-month period, taking corrective action if any emissions are observed.
Peerless has developed a Standard Operating Procedure for operating the IR camera, a tank inspection checklist for camera operators, and has trained additional employees to use the IR camera. Peerless agreed to pay a civil penalty and inspect its gasoline storage tanks monthly using an infrared (IR) camera to ensure compliance and prevent future emissions.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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Biden-Harris Administration Agencies Sign Interagency Agreement to Address Wildfire Risk and Protect Communities from Smoke
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2023 – Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, and Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mandy Cohen announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further their joint work to protect communities from the impacts of wildfire smoke, while promoting land management practices that reduce the risk of large, severe fires. The four agencies – the U.S.
ILA looking for local ports to bring in more union foremen
Alongside broader talks on wages for its members, the International Longshoremen’s Association said individual ports need to use more union supervisors and foremen, particularly throughout the South.
Biden-Harris Administration Invests More Than $1.2 Billion in Rural Cooperatives to Increase Economic Opportunity and Advance Equity in Rural America
DENVER, Co., Nov. 9, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing more than $1.2 billion in loans and grants to spur economic development, catalyze rural prosperity and advance equity through rural cooperatives in 36 states and Puerto Rico.
USDA Launches Initiative to Enhance Competitiveness of the U.S. Specialty Crops Industry
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2023 – Agriculture Deputy Secretary Torres Small today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is initiating a new effort to further support the U.S. specialty crops sector and increase the competitiveness of its products as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to build new, more and better markets that catalyze opportunity for American farmers.
EPA Fines St. Louis Scrap Metal Facility for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations
LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 9, 2023) – SA Recycling LLC of St. Louis, Missouri, will pay $68,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company failed to adequately control stormwater runoff from its scrap metal recycling and processing facility. EPA says that these failures could result in illegal discharges of pollution into the Mississippi River.
“Uncontrolled runoff from industrial facilities not only harms streams and rivers, but it also limits the public’s use and enjoyment of those waters,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “This settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protecting vital watersheds, especially in areas overburdened by pollution, and creating a level playing field with businesses who are complying with the law.”
In the settlement documents, EPA alleges that SA Recycling failed to comply with certain terms of its Clean Water Act permit, including failure to update and implement practices to prevent runoff of pollution, failure to perform inspections, and failure to train employees on stormwater management practices.
In addition to paying the penalty, SA Recycling is correcting the alleged violations through implementation of an EPA compliance order. EPA estimates it will cost the company around $44,000 to comply with the order.
EPA identified that the community surrounding SA Recycling’s facility was a potentially sensitive location for air pollution, lead-based paint, hazardous waste, and wastewater discharges. EPA is strengthening enforcement in such communities to address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of industrial operations on vulnerable populations.
Under the Clean Water Act, industrial facilities that propose to discharge into protected water bodies are required to obtain permits and to follow the requirements outlined in those permits to reduce pollution runoff. Failure to obtain a permit or follow the requirements of a permit may violate federal law.
Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
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“Uncontrolled runoff from industrial facilities not only harms streams and rivers, but it also limits the public’s use and enjoyment of those waters,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “This settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to protecting vital watersheds, especially in areas overburdened by pollution, and creating a level playing field with businesses who are complying with the law.”
In the settlement documents, EPA alleges that SA Recycling failed to comply with certain terms of its Clean Water Act permit, including failure to update and implement practices to prevent runoff of pollution, failure to perform inspections, and failure to train employees on stormwater management practices.
In addition to paying the penalty, SA Recycling is correcting the alleged violations through implementation of an EPA compliance order. EPA estimates it will cost the company around $44,000 to comply with the order.
EPA identified that the community surrounding SA Recycling’s facility was a potentially sensitive location for air pollution, lead-based paint, hazardous waste, and wastewater discharges. EPA is strengthening enforcement in such communities to address disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of industrial operations on vulnerable populations.
Under the Clean Water Act, industrial facilities that propose to discharge into protected water bodies are required to obtain permits and to follow the requirements outlined in those permits to reduce pollution runoff. Failure to obtain a permit or follow the requirements of a permit may violate federal law.
Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7