Mark Collatz

Regulatory Revew

TSCA Could Provide Unintended Consequences

Final legislation could require the EPA—for the first time—to make a decision about whether a new chemical would ever pose an unreasonable risk.

Mark Collatz

April 3, 2017

We are all familiar with the social science concept of unintended consequences—outcomes that weren’t foreseen or intended. History is rife with examples of well-meaning intentions that somehow went awry. In the 19th century, Australia introduced rabbits into the country as means for providing an additional food supply for its indigenous people.

Regulatory Review

Adhesive labels for packaging face increased regulations in California

OEEHA has published its final revision to the Prop 65 labeling laws

Mark Collatz

November 3, 2016

As any parent understands, you come to rely on certain adages or pronouncements when you want your children to understand your exasperation with their behavior. A favorite around the Collatz household over the years has been, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” It has gotten to the point that I can begin that sentence and get an eye roll and completion of my mantra before the words are actually out of my mouth. If I said the same thing to our friends at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), I wonder if I would get a similar response?

Regulatory Review

At Long Last, TSCA Reform Passes

The House of Representatives has passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act—but is it enough?

Mark Collatz

July 1, 2016

I'm going to go out the proverbial limb here and assume that, by the time this issue has printed, the U.S. Senate will have passed legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). I know I have a reputation of being a glass-half-empty kind of guy—but not this time.

Regulatory Review

Transparency through an Agency Website? Maybe Not.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s (OEEHA) new website could create more confusion for the public at the expense of those doing business in California.

Mark Collatz

May 2, 2016

California regulators are at it again. In the name of providing transparency for consumers, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEEHA) may be on the brink of creating more confusion for the public―at the expense of those doing business in the state.

Regulatory Review

The TSCA Miracle of 2015

Passage of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is almost a reality.

Mark Collatz

February 1, 2016

Anyone who has read even a few of my previous columns knows I have a cynical streak. I could blame it on my 30 years spent in Washington, D.C., but I suspect I’ve always been a “glass half empty” sort of guy. However, I have now seen that miracles can happen and I have to believe what took place in the Senate with the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) reform bill just before year’s end qualifies.

Regulatory Review: Examining the recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy decision concerning chlorinated paraffins

While the term collateral damage generally refers to some type of military activity, it also bears resemblance to a recent U.S. EPA policy decision.

Mark Collatz

November 1, 2015

Most readers are familiar with the term “collateral damage.” It is generally described as a situation in which injury is inflicted on something other than an intended target.

Regulatory Review: TSCA Reform - The Time is Now

Any further compromise will most likely lead to the falling away of considerable industry support.

Mark Collatz

May 1, 2015

By the time you read this column, the battle for Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) reform will be fully engaged. Battle lines will have been drawn, cosponsors for bills will have been recruited, and charges and counter charges will have been swapped back and forth in Senate committee hearings.

Regulatory Review: Into the West

California will be an area of considerable focus for the adhesives and sealants industry in 2015.

Mark Collatz

February 2, 2015

The Adhesive and Sealant Council’s (ASC) Regulatory Affairs Committee (RAC) recently held its annual “forecasting” conference call, during which we prioritize what are believed to be the biggest legislative and regulatory issues for the industry in the upcoming year.

Regulatory Review: Signs of Potential Prop 65 Revisions and their Impact for the Adhesives and Sealants Industry

An explanation of some of the core elements of a Prop 65 revision currently under consideration.

Mark Collatz

November 1, 2014

Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs / Blocking up the scenery, breaking up my mind / Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign? —Five Man Electrical Band (1971)

Regulatory Review: Adhesives Manufacturers Blindsided from the Left Coast

While the easier approach might be to look the other way and let a handful of impacted manufacturers fight this battle alone, I'm not sure it would be a wise one.

Mark Collatz

July 1, 2014

We all knew it was coming. The California’s Safer Consumer Regulation has been on everybody’s radar screen for years.