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- 02 May 2008 -
2008 Washington Forum Provides Platform to Air Critical Issues
Ensuring that “bad” science and misinformation does not factor into legislators’ decision-making processes—especially when drafting laws or rulings that stand to significantly impact the metal finishing industry at large. That was the driving issue that dominated discussions at the 2008 Washington Forum, held April 22–24 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C....more
- 17 April 2008 -
NASF Amends Washington Forum Program Schedule
The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) has added several topics to the program for the Washington Forum, which will take place April 22–24 in Washington, D.C. New, hot-buttton topics include nickel regulation from Europe, and the potential implications of recent European Union regulatory action on more than 140 nickel compounds. Also on the agenda: EU REACH chemicals and metals compliance, and how finishers need to respond to customer demands for REACH-compliant products and components....more
- 7 March 2008 -
Registration Open for 2008 Washington Forum
Registration is open for the 2008 Washington Forum, scheduled to take place April 22–24 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. On tap for the event—which is sponsored and organized by the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF)—are valuable educational breakout sessions focused on existing and impending regulations impacting the surface finishing industry....more
- 7 March 2008 -
The Policy Group to Submit Proposal on Pending USEPA Plating & Polishing Rule
The Policy Group, the educational and advocacy arm of the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF), next week expects to submit a proposal to the EPA regarding the pending USEPA "Plating and Polishing Rule." According to Christian Richter, one of the Policy Group's principals, the EPA rule would essentially impose new requirements on non-chromium plating processes. The good news: over the last two months The Policy Group, along with industry members, has been able to achieve a major cost avoidance on behalf of the industry. "By working with the EPA over the last couple of years, we've been able to whittle that rulemaking down so that when the rulemaking comes down we're going to see minimal cost to the industry," said Richter, during the 2007 NASF Management Conference in Los Cabos, Mexico, on March 6. "It's really gratifying to see that all our efforts with the EPA—not only the credibility of The Policy Group but also the work many industry members do every day—are resulting in success."
- 26 February 2008 -
OSHA Issues Inspection Procedure Guidelines on Hex-Chrome Exposure
OSHA recently issued an instruction to provide guidelines and establish uniform inspection and compliance procedures for the new hexavalent chromium workplace exposure standard that was promulgated Feb. 28, 2006 (OSHA Directive Number: CPL 02-02-074). This new directive sets forth OSHA’s policy and guidance for enforcing the hexavalent chromium workplace exposure standard....more
- 26 February 2008 -
EPA Updates Solid Waste Testing and Monitoring Manual
(SW-846)
The EPA has announced new revisions to its guidance manual of appropriate and reliable methods for testing and monitoring hazardous waste. The updated version of the manual, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods (also known as SW-846), contains 43 new or revised analytical methods that may be used for monitoring hazardous waste and other requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
- 30 November 2007 -
DHS Issues Revised List of Chemical and Threshold Levels for Chemical Facility Security Regulations
On Nov. 20 DHS released a revised final rule and “Appendix A” list of chemicals. The Appendix A list of chemicals provides Screening Threshold Quantities (STQ) that trigger reporting requirements for facilities that possess chemicals of interest that may pose a potential security threat...more
- 30 November 2007 -
European Union Denies Exemption for the Use of Hexavalent Chromium for Electrical/Electronic Equipment
The European Union continues to issue regulatory directives restricting or limiting the use of metals in products such as the ELV, RoHS, and WEEE. Providing the surface finishing industry with information on compliance and testing methodology, understanding the specific requirements of these directives and how they impact global supply chains, and positioning the industry to more competitive in global markets is critical for the metal finishing industry and its customers...more
- 25 October 2007 -
EPA Allows Continued Use of PFAS Fume Suppressants for Metal Finishing Processes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this month issued a final rule imposing restrictions under Section 5 of the Toxics Substances Control Act (TSCA) on the manufacture, import and use of 183 perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS) chemical compounds. In response to comments and data submitted by the National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) and numerous discussions with EPA staff, EPA provided exclusions for the continued use of PFAS fume suppressants in plating processes...more
- 25 October 2007 -
EPA Proposes Amendments to SPCC Rule
On Oct, 15, 2007, the EPA proposed amendments to the Spill Prevention, Control and Counter-measure (SPCC) rule to clarify and streamline existing requirements, propose changes to enhance compliance and improve protection of human health and the environment. 72 Fed. Reg. 58378. EPA also proposed exemptions form the SPCC for several operations...more
- 25 October 2007 -
EPA Announces Enforcement Priorities for 2008-10
EPA recently announced that in addition to the mineral processing and mining sectors and concentrated animal feeding operations, the agency will be focusing its enforcement efforts over the next three years on air, water, and waste regulations...more
- 25 October 2007 -
DOD Metal Finishing Conference Scheduled for Feb. 26-28, 2008
The Department of Defense (DOD) and the surface finishing industry will continue its cooperative technology information exchange on metal finishing applications at a conference to be held Feb. 26–28 at the Fiesta Resort and Conference Center in Tempe, Ariz...more
- 21 September 2007 -
EPA Rulemaking Targets Refinishing, Stripping Operations
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) for area sources engaged in paint stripping and miscellaneous surface coating operations. Specifically, EPA has listed "Paint Stripping," "Plastic Parts and Products (Surface Coating)," and "Autobody Refinishing Paint Shops" as area sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) that contribute to the risk to public health in urban areas under the Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy...more
- 20 July 2007 -
EPA Proposes Regulatory Approach and Stewardship Program for Nanomaterials
On July 12, 2007, EPA issued a draft document, TSCA Inventory Status of Nanoscale Substances—General Approach, and a draft concept paper summarizing a voluntary Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA proposed to use the same approach for nanoscale chemicals that it currently uses for traditional chemicals under TSCA to determine if the chemical is a new or existing compound...more
- 20 July 2007 -
Pentagon Meeting on Risk Management Options for Uses of Hexavalent Chromium
As part of its evaluation of current and historic uses and management of potentially hazardous chemicals, the Pentagon conducted a preliminary Phase I Impact Assessment for hexavalent chromium and concluded that there are probable “high risks” to some Department of Defense (DOD) operations...more
- 29 June 2007 -
DHS Chemical Facility Security Requirement Applicable to All Finishers and Chemical Suppliers
The Department of Homeland Security has issued regulations to establish chemical facility security standards. Finishers and chemical suppliers need to review the requirements of this rule to determine if they need to submit an initial “Top-Screen” assessment of the potential risks regarding the chemicals that are manufactured, used, stored, or distributed at their facilities...more
- 29 June 2007 -
EPA Set to Issue Proposed Air Emissions Rule for Plating and Polishing Operations
The EPA is considering several control options for the proposed rule for plating and polishing operations (EPA is required under the Clean Air Act to promulgate new air emission regulations for plating and polishing operations.)...more
- 29 June 2007 -
Industry Comments Being Prepared on EPA’s New Definition of Solid Waste
The National Association for Surface Finishing (NASF) is preparing comments on the EPA’s proposed rule concerning the new definition of solid waste with plans to submit the comments to the agency on behalf of the surface finishing industry...more
- 29 June 2007 -
Planning Under Way for More DOD Metal Finishing Workshops
After another successful workshop with collaboration between DOD and the surface finishing industry, plans are under way to organize future workshops and conferences on surface finishing applications for the military depot infrastructure and the defense supply chain for finishing...more
- 29 June 2007 -
New Legislation to Help Small Business Comply with Federal Regulations
President Bush recently signed legislation that requires federal agencies to publish a small business compliance guide for each new regulation that has a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities… more
- 07 June 2007 -
Ohio EPA Settles with Cleveland Plating Company for Hazardous Waste Violations
K-B Plating, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, has agreed to an $85,000 civil penalty with the Ohio EPA to settle hazardous waste violations stemming from an inspection in 2006. The company also promised to upgrade its hazardous waste tank system and perform a facility-wide assessment to identify additional pollution prevention opportunities...more
- 07 June 2007 -
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Minnesota Metal Finishing, Inc., of Minneapolis for alleged violations of hazardous waste rules uncovered during inspections that took place over a four-year period. Minnesota Metal Finishing, located at 909 Winter St., N.E., was cited under the authority of the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act for failure to train personnel and keep records; create a contingency plan; operate to minimize possibility of fire, explosion or sudden release; and obtain a hazardous waste storage permit. The company will pay an $85,000 penalty.
- 29 May 2007 -
Nanotechnology Under EPA Scrutiny
Regulatory oversight of nanotechnology is urgently needed, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should act now. That’s according to a new study recently released by the EPA...more
- 29 May 2007 -
On May 17th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a ruling, the Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP), regarding n-propyl bromide (n-PB), a cleaning solvent whose properties are nearly equivalent to those of the banned ODC 1,1,1-trichloroethane. In essence, the rule: 1) Accepted n-PB as a replacement for ozone-depleting chemicals (ODCs) in metal, electronics, and precision cleaning operations; 2) Required no exposure limit as a condition of use; 3) Specifically stated that the SNAP program does not regulate cold cleaning operations (emissive cleaning of metal without emission-control equipment).
- 29 May 2007 -
The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) have reached an agreement with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on regulations covering worker exposure to hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen that occurs in the production of stainless steel. Under the settlement, OSHA will allow employers to require that workers wear respiratory protection when welding on stainless or chromium-containing steel in an enclosed or confined space. (Originally, OSHA said an employer first had to use engineering and work-practice controls to restrict an employee's exposure. SSINA and NAM objected, saying that requiring engineering controls in confined or enclosed spaces is often impossible because of the size of the space.)
- 30 March 2007 -
Industry Seeks to Block EPA Tests on Common Air, Waste Pollutants
Chemical industry officials are seeking to block an EPA effort to conduct extensive testing related to risk assessments for a host of Superfund and air pollutants, saying the agency already has adequate data on the contaminants and that EPA is not justified in seeking to obtain the information...more
- 23 March 2007 -
EPA Proposes New Definition of Solid Waste
EPA recently announced a supplemental proposal to revise the definition of solid waste to encourage the recycling of more hazardous secondary materials. This supplemental proposal amends EPA's Oct, 23, 2003, proposed revision to the definition of solid waste...more
- 23 March 2007 -
OSHA Chief to Address NASF Washington Forum
Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., will address the surface finishing industry at the NASF Washington Forum, May 1-3, 2007 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel. Appointed by President Bush on Sept. 15, 2005, to head the Occupational Health and Safety Administration—which regulates workplace safety and health issues—Mr. Foulke will discuss the U.S. Department of Labor's agreement with the surface finishing industry on the hexavalent chromium workplace exposure standard, the industry’s new cooperative alliance with OSHA, and the priority issues for OSHA in the coming year...more
- 23 March 2007 -
EPA Releases Final Document for Assessing Risks of Metals
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this month released its final Framework for Metals Risk Assessment (Metals Framework), a science-based document that identifies the basic principles regarding the attributes and behaviors of metals and metal compounds that should be considered when assessing human health and environmental risks. EPA's Risk Assessment Forum oversaw the development of this document, including input from stakeholders, experts from both inside and outside of EPA, several expert workshops, and peer review by EPA's Science Advisory Board...more
- 23 March 2007 -
Proposed Legislation to Address China's Currency Manipulation
Proposed legislation titled The Fair Currency Act of 2007 was introduced recently in both the U.S. House and Senate to address the issue of China's currency manipulation. The House bill, H.R. 782, introduced on Jan. 31, 2007, by Representatives Duncan Hunter (R-CA) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) is a World Trade Organization (WTO)-compliant bill that would add currency manipulation to the list of unfair trade practices actionable under U.S. trade law. Under this legislation, U.S. manufacturers could file currency complaints against China with the U.S. International Trade Commission and seek sanctions on Chinese products until the illegal practice of currency manipulation ends...more
- 26 February 2007 -
New Round of Manufacturing Hearings Kick-Off
The Democratic takeover of Congress has prompted a new round of hearings related to U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and jobs. While the intense lament over "offshoring" has subsided, new House and Senate committee chairs are exploring a long list of issues that reflect the considerable economic anxiety across the country even as broader economic indicators are improving...more
- 26 February 2007 -
NASF Submits Comments to EU on Metals Restrictions
Restrictions imposed on the use of metal by the European Union (EU) continue to have significant repercussions on global finishing markets and domestic surface finishing operations. As finishing facilities search for feasible alternatives to banned metals such as hexavalent chromium, cadmium and lead, the EU has recently begun to consider a variety of exemptions to the restrictions where feasible substitutes are not yet available...more
- 26 February 2007 -
DoD Metal Finishing Workshop Slated for May
Another Department of Defense (DoD) workshop to focus on the commercial applications of chromate alternatives for conversion coating and sealing is being planned for May 15-17 at Hill Air Force base in Ogden, Utah. This technical workshop is intended to bring together DoD and industry experts to identify specific needs, solutions and performance data for replacing hexavalent chromates processes used for overhaul and new weapons systems in vehicles, aircraft and vessels...more
- 26 February 2007 -
U.S.-China Commission Addresses Trade Issues
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission announced its new chairman in January, as well as its plans to hold a wide range of hearings in 2007 and advise Congress on "serious questions in the U.S.-China relationship." The Commission, a bipartisan entity created by Congress to analyze issues and make recommendations on US policy toward China, will examine a host of issues, such as China's compliance with its obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO), the impact of trade with China on U.S. manufacturing and the defense industrial base, and U.S. security implications of China's military modernization and emerging force deployments...more
- 26 February 2007 -
Homeland Security Issues New Chemical Facility Security Regulations
Congress passed legislation on chemical plant security and President Bush signed it on October 4, 2006. The new measure was part of the 2007 appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and required DHS to establish risk-based and performance-based standards for chemical plants to help protect against terrorist attacks. Specifically, DHS must promulgate regulations within six months for those chemical facilities that "present high levels of security risk"...more
- 06 February 2007 -
2007 Washington Forum Set for May
The Policy Group will hold its 2007 Washington Forum from May 1–3 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. Attendees are invited to learn how global, environmental, economic, regulatory and technology trends have created significant challenges but also rich opportunities for knowledgeable players in the industry...more
- 05 January 2007 -
Second DoD Metal Finishing Workshop a Success
The finishing industry participated in a highly successful Department of Defense metal finishing workshop in late November in Washington, D.C., according to The Policy Group. The workshop, which was held as a primary technical session at the Pentagon’s annual symposium on strategic environmental research and development, was part of a larger symposium that attracted 1,000 attendees overall. More than 120 participated in the two-day metal finishing session...more
- 05 January 2007 -
Industry Meets with Manufacturing Czar
The industry's Government Relations (GR) office met with the Bush Administration's manufacturing czar, Al Frink, to discuss surface finishing industry competitiveness issues, the recent industry-OSHA Chrome PEL settlement, and the role of the U.S. Department of Commerce in assessing manufacturing competitiveness on the regulatory front....more
- 05 January 2007 -
Canadian, European PFOS Regs Provide Exemptions to Plating Fume Suppressants
On Dec. 16, 2006, the Canadian Department of the environment announced a new regulation prohibiting the manufacture, use, sale, offer for and import of perfluoroctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its salts and certain other compounds, as well as manufactured items containing PFOS. Similarly, following the recent vote of the European Parliament, the European Union (EU) Council of Ministers approved a ban on most PFOS compounds on Dec.11, 2006. The regulation did, however, provide some limited exemptions for the use of PFOS in firefighting foams and metal plating fume suppressants...more
- 05 January 2007 -
EPA Eyes Controversial Method for Testing HCN
The EPA's proposal to require industry to use a complicated detection model that has produced uncertain results to test a common Superfund and air pollutant is forcing industry to launch a new effort to organize producers of the chemical to conduct extensive tests...more
- 08 December 2006 -
EPA Updates Standard on Industrial Process Heaters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers and process heaters. The amendments, which take effect Feb. 5, 2007, impact several regulated entities—including firms specializing in electroplating, anodizing, polishing and coloring, as well as manufacturers of vehicle parts and accessories...more
- 08 December 2006 -
EPA Begins Cleanup at Defunct Electroplating Facility
Hazardous chemical removal is currently underway at an electroplating business in Dunbar, W.V. Here's the hook: the shop, Custom Plating and Polishing Inc., hasn't operated since last year...more
- 11 October 2006 -
THIRD DOD CONFERENCE SLATED FOR NOVEMBER
A third Department of Defense (DOD) metal finishing conference has been scheduled to take place Nov. 28-29, in Washington, D.C. The first two of such conferences on the environment, technology and defense coatings needs, were held earlier this year in May. The Policy Group is encouraging interested finishing industry representatives and suppliers to attend...more
- 07 September 2006 -
EPA Proposes Residual Risk Air Emission Standards for Halogenated Solvents
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its authority to control residual risk, has proposed to place a cap on emissions from machines that use halogenated solvents for cleaning parts. 71 Fed. Reg. 47670 (August 17, 2006) Halogenated solvent cleaning is generally used in conjunction with industrial processes such as plating, painting, inspections, repair, assembly, heat treatment and machining...more
- 07 September 2006 -
Finishing Industry Submits Comments on EPA's Proposed Ban of Fume Suppressants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed to ban perfluoroalkyl sulfonate (PFAS) materials. PFAS chemicals are a key ingredient in fume suppressants used extensively in the metal finishing industry for reducing air emissions and workplace exposures, particularly for chromium plating processes such as hard and decorative chromium plating, chromic acid anodizing and plating on plastics. 71 Fed. Reg. 12311 (March 10, 2006). Government Relations submitted comments on behalf of the industry in August, highlighting the extensive beneficial uses of fume suppressants in metal finishing operations...more
-02 August 2006 -
California Propses Ban on Hex-Chrome in Decorative Plating
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has proposed an air toxic control measure (ATCM) for hexavalent chromium that includes not only an overly-restrictive standard of 0.0015 mg/m3, but also a phase-out provision for hexavalent chromium in decorative chrome plating...more
-02 August 2006 -
Department of Defense Plans Second Surface Finishing Conference
After a successful conference recently in Washington, D.C., on challenges for surface finishing technologies in the defense arena, the Pentagon's Strategic Environment R&D Program (SERDP) is planning a follow-up session this fall with a more specific focus on applying commercial finishing successes to "clean" technologies for defense uses...more
2 August 2006 -
Federal Agencies Address Toxicity of Nanotechnology
As nanotechnology applications in the surface finishing and other industries continue to grow, the federal government is focusing more attention on assessing the potential toxicity of nanoscale materials...more
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