India Requires Biotech Foods to Be Labeled Starting January 1, 2013; Imports to Be Most Affected

MUMBAI—Foods containing genetically modified ingredients will have to be labeled “GM” in India starting Jan. 1, 2013, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution has said.

Japan Revises Chemical Disclosure Rules To Align With International Standards

TOKYO—Japan’s government has tightened information disclosure and labeling regulations for 562 toxic chemicals to align its rules with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.
It also has urged companies to voluntarily disclose toxicity information for all chemicals in general.

E.U. Chemicals Agency Publishes Labeling Guidance

The European Chemicals Agency April 8 published guidance for chemicals manufacturers and importers regarding packaging standards and the correct use of hazard labels for substances and mixtures in the European Union…

U.S. EPA Plans Action in 2011 on Air Pollution, Climate Change, Pesticides, Nanomaterials

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Environmental Protection Agency plans to issue or implement several new regulations in 2011, including measures to reduce air pollution from power plants, refineries, and industrial boilers; greenhouse gas emissions permitting for new and modified sources; and enforcement of Clean Water Act permits for certain pesticides.
Chemicals also will be a primary focus for the agency, with likely action on data-collection requirements and a significant new use rule for nanoscale materials.

But the agency will have to defend itself from a less friendly Congress, with a Republican-led House of Representatives that…