July 16, 2008 -- Welcome to the July issue of 3E HazMat Matters! Please forward this newsletter to any colleagues who might find it useful or have them request a subscription by clicking here. For information on how to opt-out, see the instructions at the end of this email.
In this Issue:
3E in the News
Case Study
3E News
Tips N Tricks
Product News
Ask the 3Expert
Meet the 3Experts
Events
Industry Articles - News You Can Use
3E in the News ......................................................................................................................
Michael Beckel, Manager of Consulting Services, 3E Company, was recently published in Industrial Safety & Hygiene News. His article, “Minimalist or Motivated,” outlines strategies and tactics for efficiently and effectively managing chemicals, while achieving EHS regulatory compliance. You can view the full article here.
Case Study ...........................................................................................................................
3E Company recently completed a case study with GrafTech International, a world leader in graphite material science with more than 120 years of experience in the graphite and carbon 
industry. GrafTech's products are used in a variety of applications in a diverse array of industries, including the production of steel and non-ferrous metals, electronics, fuel cell power generation, solar energy, aerospace and transportation, among others.
With its product line constantly expanding, GrafTech's EH&S team found it challenging to keep up with authoring the MSDSs that each new product required. The case study details the company's use of 3E Company's Ariel MSDS Authoring Services to ease this burden. You can view the full case study here.
If you are interested in participating in a case study, please contact Jenny Bingham.
3E News ................................................................................................................................
3E recently welcomed two new additions to the Executive team: Kevin O'Hare has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, and Joe Lawless has been appointed Vice President of Global Sales. Mr. O'Hare and Mr. Lawless both bring significant strategic expertise in their respective domains to the leadership team. They will leverage this experience to sustain 3E Company's rapid growth and expansion. You can view the full press release announcing their appointments here.
3E Company recently introduced MSDgen 5.08, a new version of our MSDgen MSDS authoring system. MSDgen 5.08 features several innovative enhancements to help customers develop and maintain globally compliant and reliable hazard communication documentation. The most prominent enhancements to MSDgen 5.08 include new features to help customers author hazard communication documents that comply with Europe's Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) regulatory framework for chemical substances as well as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labeling of chemicals. You can view the full press release here.
Product News...................................................................................................................
3E ONLINE
NEW FUNCTIONALITY - Chemical Approval Enhancement
The Chemical Approval manager is now able to filter products within the Chemical Approval Module by the various regulatory lists which can be accessed and managed through the "Manage My Lists" feature under the Chemical Analysis section of 3E Online. With this new functionality, the user will quickly be able to see how products pending approval are regulated by the 40+ regulatory lists maintained in 3E Online as well as any custom lists this user creates, such as a banned chemical list, which will help with the decision of whether to approve or deny a product.
3E SERVICE
NEW FUNCTIONALITY – Corporate Attachments:
Client Administrators can now add Corporate Attachments to 3E Service. Administrators can add these documents to a new area within the Help section. These documents can be viewed by all users. Space and number of documents added to this section is unlimited. Recommended documents would be a corporate EH&S directory, emergency procedures and training documentation.
Search Functionality:
"Starts With", "Contains" and "Keywords" searches
Due to popular client demand, we have incorporated a generic drop down box for "Starts With", "Contains" and "Keywords" searches. The current wildcard (*) system can still be used as normal. This drop down box is available in the Product search field, Manufacturer search pop-up box, and Ingredient search pop-up box. Please note that the "Contains" option is not recommended as it is the slowest search method.
Labeling Functionality:
Saving Label PDFs in Notes & Attachments section
Users can not only customize the text within label templates, but now save these changes by adding the generated label PDFs into the Notes & Attachments section. These labels are available for reference by all users.
3E Company is constantly looking to improve our operations and add new products and services to better serve you. We always appreciate hearing what's on your mind. Your feedback, suggestions and ideas are what keep us going 24 hours a day. We encourage you share your ideas and feedback by emailing info@3ecompany.com.
Tips N Tricks .........................................................................................................................
Chemical Approval - Regulatory List Filter
A new feature to the 3E Online - Chemical Approval Module allows the Chemical Approval Manager access to regulatory data to aid in the decision making process. The Chemical Approval manager can filter products pending approval by any of the custom lists created using the “Manage My Lists” feature under the Chemical Analysis tab. By using the “Manage My List” feature, users are able to create custom regulatory lists based on specific ingredients, CAS RN, or a collection of regulatory lists to create custom queries within 3E Online.
Create Custom List:
To create a custom list select the Chemical Analysis tab and select “Manage My Lists”. Click on “Add New Custom List”, give the list a name, and then click “OK”. From there users can create a custom list by adding any one of the standard regulatory lists, or a combination of lists. To add a list, simply check the box next to the list(s). Users can also add a specific chemical to that list by selecting either “Add Ingredient” or “Add CAS Number”. Once the custom list is created, users can utilize this list within the chemical approval module.
Access Custom List for Chemical Approval:
Click on the arrow button on the “Filter by Custom List” drop down box to view the available custom lists. Select a list and then go to the “Search for” box, select “Chemical Approval State” then “Equals” and then “Ready for Approval” and click “Search”. The results will show all products pending approval that contain a chemical from the selected custom list. This is especially helpful for managing banned chemicals. Users can ensure that new products being added to the catalog do not contain company or site specific banned chemicals.
For more information on 3E Online’s Chemical Approval Module please contact your sales representative or service integration specialist.
Ask the 3Expert......................................................................................................................
"There appear to be inconsistencies in the interpretation of photo waste regulations between California agencies in the Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP) process. Is there a standardized statewide method of reporting photo waste?"
Unfortunately HMBP reporting thresholds for hazardous materials, including hazardous wastes, are not uniform across all relevant agencies in California. Although California has a policy that appears to mandate reporting of any hazardous waste accumulation, methodology for reporting waste on an HMBP in California is handled on an agency-specific basis.
California State requirements defining substances that must be reported on a Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBP) are outlined in 19 California Code of Regulations (CCR) Section 2729.1 and are further clarified in Section III (Hazardous Materials Inventory - Chemical Description Instructions) of 19 CCR Appendix B. These regulations state that a business must complete a business plan that includes a chemical description page for each hazardous material, including hazardous waste, that is handled at the facility in aggregate quantities equal to or greater than 500 pounds, 55 gallons, or 200 cubic feet (of gas) - or the federal threshold planning quantity for Extremely Hazardous Substances - whichever is less.
California grants the Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) and Administering Agencies (AAs), to whom HMBPs must be submitted, authority to create alternative hazardous materials inventory forms for local purposes (19CCR Section 2729.3). Individual CUPA’s may stipulate that hazardous wastes, including photo waste, must be reported in any amount, or they may require that such wastes be reported only if handled above the State reporting thresholds.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, for example, requires that any business that generates any quantity of a hazardous waste, must report the accumulation of that waste in the HMBP. Conversely, the City of Berkeley Toxics Management Division’s states that: “Any business in the City of Berkeley which uses or stores aggregate quantities of hazardous materials (including hazardous wastes) equal to or greater than 55 gallons for liquids, 500 pounds for solids, or 200 cubic feet for compressed gas at standard temperature and pressure is required to submit a HMBP.”
As the quantity thresholds for HMBP reporting of hazardous materials are not uniform across all relevant local agencies in California, businesses should research their local CUPA or AA requirements to determine the appropriate reporting thresholds for these materials, including photo waste.
- Brenna St. Pierre
Ms. St. Pierre is a Technical Project Specialist with 3E Company. She manages customer service delivery and provides consultative support concerning EH&S regulations.
Have a question for our experts? Please send it to asktheexperts@3ecompany.com and it might be featured in an upcoming newsletter!
Sookie Hong is a Senior Regulatory Research Analyst - Asia Pacific with 3E Company. In this role, Ms. Hong is responsible for researching, analyzing, and monitoring overall chemical and other EH&S related governmental legislations and regulations of the Asia Pacific region. She is 
also tasked with delivering the most accurate and timely regulatory content to support Ariel WebInsight and other 3E Company solutions, as well as with providing customer support for any Asia Pacific-related content and product inquiries.
Ms. Hong brought more than 10 years of regulatory expertise focused on the Asia Pacific region, including work in both Hong Kong and the U.S., to her current position.
Prior to joining 3E Company, MS. Hong worked with ILOG, Inc. as a Business Policy Analyst, and with Management Dynamics, Inc. as a Regional Trade Manager/Senior Trade Specialist in the Global Content Department. She has also worked with Amnesty International as a Program Assistant in the Asia Pacific Advocacy department."Before joining 3E, my regulatory focus was international trade compliance and researching broad trade regulations, which is very high level. Working with 3E has enabled me to enhance my regulatory expertise with further focus on EH&S, which is a highly critical issue in the Asia Pacific region," said Ms. Hong. "Working at 3E also gives me the opportunity to fully utilize my language skills (fluent Korean, Japanese, and proficient Chinese) in analyzing Asian governmental regulations. I also enjoy working with people at 3E, they are professional, competent and friendly!"
Ms. Hong earned her Bachelor of Arts in education from EWHA Women's University in South Korea, and her Master of Arts in International Affairs, Comparative Regional Studies with concentration of Asia political economy from American University. She has also earned several certificates, including a Graduate Certificate in East Asia Studies from Harvard University.
In her spare time, Ms. Hong volunteers with the International Justice Mission to stop child slavery and trafficking. She is also a black belt in Hap Ki Do martial arts, plays the flute and enjoys swimming.
Events.............................................................................................................................CONFERENCES
Please come visit 3E at the following upcoming shows:
ASHE Annual Convention & Technical Exhibition
July 20-22, 2008
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Washington, DC
ACHMM 2008 National Conference
September 8-10, 2008
Location: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Chicagoland Safety & Health Conference
September 15-18, 2008
Location: Northern Illinois University, Naperville Campus, IL
September 23, 2008
Location: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
September 22-24, 2008
Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
UPCOMING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
3E's subject matter experts will be speaking at the following conferences:
ASHE Annual Convention & Technical Exhibition
July 20-23, 2008
Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Washington, DC
Session: Emergency Response Strategies
Speaker: Kami Blake, Solution Engineer
Date: Monday, July 21, 2008
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Session: Best Practices in Hazardous Waste Management
Speaker: Kami Blake, Solution Engineer
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Time: 9:30 a.m.
ACHMM 2008 National Conference
September 8-10, 2008
Location: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Session: Latest Changes in Global Regulatory Requirements
Speaker: TBD
Date: Monday, September 8
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Session: Making EH&S a Priority: The Case for EH&S Compliance across Industries and Throughout the Supply Chain
Speaker: Prabhu Natarajan, Director Strategic Alliances and Product Marketing
Date: Monday, September 8
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Session: Selecting the Right Tools to Meet Your Compliance Needs
Speaker: Prabhu Natarajan, Director Strategic Alliances and Product Marketing
Date: Tuesday, September 9
Time: 3:45 p.m.
Session: Implementing an Effective Compliance Reporting Plan
Speaker: Isaac Powell, Product Manager
Date: Wednesday, September 10
Time: 9:00 a.m.
September 22-24, 2008
Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
Session: CSR Initiatives and EH&S Regulatory Compliance
Speaker: Robert Christie, Chief Executive Officer
Date: Wednesday, September 24
Time: 1:00 p.m.
WEB SEMINARS
Please join us on Wednesday, July 30th for our 2008 EH&S Web Seminar: Best Practices in MSDS Authoring and Distribution
3E Company is proud to present Tamie Webber, 3E’s Director of Product Management, and Betty Hicks, 3E’s Manager, US Authoring Operations, who will discuss the following:
Manufacturers with global operations encounter a myriad of issues including managing the creation and downstream distribution of MSDSs. These issues include properly managing global regulatory data as an input in the MSDS Authoring process, ensuring compliance with each country's hazardous communications regulations, dealing with unique workplace safety requirements, and creating and tracking MSDSs for similar products whose ingredients may vary from country to country. Attendees will be able to identify the issues that companies face when authoring and distributing global MSDSs as well as learn tips and strategies for creating and maintaining MSDS Authoring and Distribution program.
This web seminar is pending approval for Certification Maintenance Points (CMP) through the IHMM and ABIH.
Click here to register for this web seminar. The last day to register is July 29th.
The confirmation link you will receive will be unique to your name and E-mail address only; please keep this in mind when telling colleagues about it.
When: Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Cost: No Cost
How: Internet
Industry Articles: News You Can Use..................................................................................
From Chemistry World
Reach chemicals regulation hit by computer problems
From Environmental Expert
First European Chemicals Agency inaugurated
Chemical safety and control is in our hands, says EU Health Minister
Environmental risk is rising up the corporate agenda, according to a new EIU survey
From Environmental Protection
EPA Finalizes F019 Hazwaste Amendment
From NSC
House panel debates chemical compounds in consumer products
PHMSA considers stronger laws for transporting explosives
From OHS Magazine
Hazardous Waste Code Altered, but Only for Vehicle Manufacturers
From SOCMA
EU Agrees to Incorporate UN Chemical Labeling Standards