Category:Uncategorized
Red No. 3 – The Carcinogenic Color
Consumers read product labels regularly to educate themselves on ingredients they are putting on or in their body. More likely than not, most consumers have read a label before and seen “RED 3” as an ingredient, often listed at the end of the lengthy list. What most consumers fail to recognize is what exactly “RED 3” is and the potential hazard it can pose to their health. While the Food and Drug Administration has requirements in place restricting the use of this color additive in cosmetics, it is still permitted to be used in food and drug products despite scientific findings of its cancer-causing effects.
EPA Finalizes Rule Requiring Reporting of “Forever Chemicals”
On September 28, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its rule for manufactures of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which requires that these manufacturers provide information about what chemicals and the amount that they produce. Effective November 13, 2023, persons that manufacture, have manufactured, or have imported PFAS in any year since January 1, 2011, will now be required to report a wide range of information of PFAS including chemical identity and structure, uses, production volumes, exposures, by-products and health and environmental effects. EPA is taking this action not only to fulfill its obligations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7), but also to address this legacy pollution that has been, and continues to be, endangering people across the nation.
Chevron Showdown: Is it the End of a Judicial Doctrine’s Era?
Jason Velligan Associate Editor Loyola University School of Law, JD 2024 Regulatory and legal professionals who understand and work to influence government agency rulemaking are most likely familiar with the Chevron deference. The statute gives an agency the authority or power to engage in rulemaking by issuing regulations. Rule and regulation are often used interchangeably …
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The Approval of Lab-Grown Meat: How Will it be Regulated?
Lab-grown meat, also known as cultured or cell-based meat, is recognized as a revolutionary innovation in the food industry. Lab-grown meat has garnered significant attention and investment because it offers a more sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming. However, behind the promise of this cutting-edge technology lies a complex web of regulatory and compliance challenges that must be addressed to ensure its successful integration into the market.
Politicians Allowed to Serve Long After the Retirement Age
With the recent death of trailblazing Congresswoman Diane Feinstein, discussion of whether Congress members, and politicians in general, should be allowed to serve long after the retirement age are becoming even more prevalent. This conversation is important as people who hold opposite opinions have valid arguments that must be considered. On one hand, the United States has banned age discrimination in the workplace. On the other hand, keeping people who have declining physical or cognitive health may pose a safety concern for our nation, especially when we are discussing high ranking officials. Ultimately, we are a nation for the people and by the people. Thus, we decide whether we place age limitations on our elected officials or not by going to the polls.
Bribery: Here to Stay
Earlier this year, Morgan Lewis and Compliance Week conducted a survey on anti-bribery and corruption efforts by compliance professionals. The results of the survey showed that there are not enough resources to combat recent trends in bribery. Recently, there have been multiple million-dollar settlements regarding bribery claims.
The I.R.S. is using AI to Crack Down on Tax Evasion
The Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) issued a press release on September 8, 2023, detailing how the agency plans to use at least part of the $80 million dollar allocation it received from the Inflation Reduction Act last year. I.R.S. Commissioner Danny Werfel plans to use the funds to make compliance enforcement efforts and tax evasion identification more effective and efficient. How does he plan to do this? The overwhelmed and perhaps overworked agency will be using artificial intelligence (AI) programs and features to expedite and assist with redundant processes as well as to audit parties that are too complicated or large for the I.R.S.’s current capabilities.
The Cosmetic Industry Gets a Makeover: Building a Strong ‘Foundation’ for Safety Standards
On December 29, 2022, President Joe Biden signed a massive $1.7 trillion omnibus federal spending bill into law. Most notably, as tweeted out by Biden, this comprehensive legislation focused on investing in medical research and safety, veteran’s healthcare, disaster recovery, funding for the Violence Against Women Act, and military aid to Ukraine. Importantly, the bill also establishes the Modernization of Cosmetic Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA), which according to Biden, is “the most significant expansion of FDA’s authority to regulate the cosmetics industry since the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act was passed in 1938.” This legislation ushers in long overdue and stepped-up regulatory oversight, compliance, and consumer protection in the previously loosely regulated cosmetics industry. This blog will discuss the need for the updated regulations, the landmark litigation that illustrated the negative impacts on consumer’s health from an industry that was less than transparent and under-regulated, and the intent of the new legislation including if the legislation goes far enough to protect consumers from potentially harmful products.
Cybersecurity Compliance: Safeguarding Sensitive Information
In today’s interconnected world, cybersecurity regulations have become crucial for organizations to safeguard sensitive information, mitigating legal and commercial risks. Navigating the complex landscape of regulatory compliance can be a daunting task. However, organizations can effectively meet the regulatory compliance challenge and protect their data with the appropriate standards, procedures, and protocols.
The Future of Privacy in Tech Might Just Depend on Trust
It is fair to say that privacy is a priority for nearly all companies, but technology organizations in particular. Many have had to adopt and quickly develop robust compliance programs, documentation, reporting, and consumer request systems to comply with global privacy laws or face serious fines and consequences. In the United States alone, nine states (California, Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Utah, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, and Montana) have signed comprehensive privacy laws into effect with an additional 16 pending in local legislature. Beyond this, individual one-off laws such as the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, signed into effect in 2008, make privacy even more important.