Metals Services

Areas in which we advise clients include the following:

• Legislative Policy –
• Advise clients on impacts of proposed legislative actions or policies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) conflict minerals regulations and TSCA reform actions
• Provide leadership role for metals industry in an ad hoc coalition of chemical trade associations in TSCA reform debate
• U.S. Chemical Control and Assessment Actions –
• Provide context of ongoing regulatory actions by EPA in chemical control programs  impacting  the metals industry and develop strategies to minimize burden or unintended consequences, including
• Scheduled assessments of numerous metals under the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) process
• Reporting of metals and metal byproducts under CDR
• Inclusion of metal substances in EPA’s TSCA Work Plan efforts
• Prioritization of chemicals in commerce
• Classification and Labeling Requirements –
• Educate  metals community on impacts of new classification and labeling requirements in the U.S. and other regions
• Engage in research and modeling developments addressing the physical and chemical characteristics of metals within classification contexts
• Research –
• Conduct and publish research focused on providing more scientifically robust approaches to regulate and manage metal substances
• International Treaties and Programs –
• Lead industry efforts in providing input to U.S. delegates to International Maritime Organization (IMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on mercury, sustainable development, and other international activities impacting metals
• Meet with U.S. State, Commerce, and Transportation Departments to assist the U.S. in developing a position on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) and mercury-related issues
• Coordinate with Key Government Groups on Sustainability Issues –
• Monitor and report on developments in international “3Rs” initiative (reduce, recycle, reuse), Health Canada Exposure Model, draft Canadian Ecological Categorization of Organometallics, and UNEP Executive Director’s draft report
• Training –
• Coordinate and host seminars for metals industry

• Acta’s affiliate, B&C, is legal counsel to the North American Metals Council (NAMC). Our professionals track regulatory and legislative issues and advise NAMC of their effect on the metals industry. Our affiliate, BCCM, manages NAMC and conducts specialized training for NAMC members.
• B&C is counsel to, and BCCM manages, the Titanium Dioxide Stewardship Council.
• Acta monitors global legislation, research, and regulations concerning nanomaterials, and prepares a monthly update summarizing, by country, plans for nanoparticle regulation and/or research relevant to nickel and nickel compounds, as well as other primary inorganic metal compounds such as copper, silver, and zinc.
• Acta professionals played a key role in EPA’s development of a science-based Metals Assessment Framework.
• Acta professionals participated in briefings on the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) Heavy Metals Protocol and provided input to the U.S. government delegation on issues of interest.
• Acta’s affiliate, B&C, represented the North American metals industry at stakeholder meetings on SAICM with the U.S. delegation, and successfully advocated for removal of the term “heavy metals” and greater emphasis on scientifically-based determinations.
• Acta monitors federal, state, and international regulatory developments and prepares monthly and quarterly updates concerning specific metals, such as molybdenum, cadmium, aluminum, cobalt, platinum, and tungsten.