Regulatory Summit North America 2024

Prior to joining Chemical Watch News & Insight in 2015, Kelly managed regulatory affairs for several trade groups in the building products industry. Her academic background is in English and Spanish.

Dr. Kevin M. DeBell is the director of the Data Gathering, Management, and Policy Division in EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). Prior to joining OPPT, Kevin served in the EPA’s Office of the Administrator as Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Administrator, and Associate Director of the Office of Strategic Environmental Management. Kevin has also worked in EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office and Office of Wastewater Management. Kevin holds an M.A. in political science from Loyola University Chicago and a Ph.D. in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.

Jonathan Kalmuss-Katz is a senior attorney in Earthjustice’s Toxic Exposure and Health program, which is dedicated to protecting people and the environment from toxic chemicals.

Lynn L. Bergeson has earned an international reputation for her deep and expansive understanding of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), and especially how these regulatory programs pertain to nanotechnology, industrial biotechnology, synthetic biology, and other emerging transformative technologies. She counsels clients on a wide range of issues pertaining to product stewardship; chemical hazard, exposure, and risk assessment; risk communication; minimizing legal liability; and product lifecycle strategy.

Greg directs a division of attorneys, scientists, engineers, and inspectors responsible for developing and implementing national policy for the Toxic Substances Control Act enforcement program, as well as FIFRA, RCRA, CAA section 112(r) and EPCRA/CERCLA civil administrative and judicial enforcement programs. The division also directly assures compliance with, and initiates and resolves enforcement cases under, each of the above statutory areas. Greg has previously worked as an attorney and manager in Superfund and RCRA corrective action enforcement. Greg’s B.A. is from Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington, and J.D. is from the American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, D.C. He is a member of the New York state bar.

John J. Kowalski is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) and an expert in Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations. In his current role as a regulatory affairs lead at UL Solutions, John manages a team responsible for maintaining TSCA-related content in UL Solutions’ regulatory database, developing and providing TSCA-related training, and helping customers across different industries with TSCA compliance. This includes, but is not limited to, preparing Section 5 notices and Section 8 reports using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Chemical Information Submission System and Central Data Exchange.

Robert F. Helminiak is the Vice President of Legal and Government Relations with the Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA), where he leads the association's advocacy efforts to effect positive change and outcomes for the specialty and fine chemical industry. 

Terry has spent more than 15 years as a reporter, editor and digital news team leader providing information for legal and regulatory professionals across a variety of topics, including health care, clean energy and climate change, occupational health and toxic substances. He joined Chemical Watch News & Insight in 2020.

Based in Washington D.C., Melanie Rybar supports Enhesa Product Intelligence as the expert on North America regulatory content. She has spent her career in the chemical manufacturing industry, conducting regulatory analysis, risk management reviews, developing new products and processes for companies making surfactants, functional polymers and other specialty chemicals intended for use in consumer products.

André Algazi joined California’s innovative Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulatory program in 2013. The program regulates product-chemical combinations that may expose people or environmental organisms to potentially harmful chemicals; manufacturers of these Priority Products are required to identify and thoroughly evaluate potentially safer alternatives to using Chemicals of Concern. André’s team has evaluated dozens of chemicals in a range of consumer product categories and has developed technical documents to support regulation of more than a dozen specific products.

Judah Prero focuses his practice on counseling clients on chemical regulatory matters before legislators, regulators, and government agencies. He advises on chemical management laws and regulations, including laws under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide (FIFRA), the Consumer Products Safety Commission, and the Department of Homeland Security. He has counseled the chemical industry on programs that regulate commercial and consumer use chemicals, pesticides and antimicrobials, as well as those ensuring the security and safety of the use and handling of those materials both at facilities and in transport. Judah advises product manufacturers and retailers on the compliance challenges posed by new laws - federal and state - restricting the uses of substances such as PFAS and flame retardants.

John Gardella is a co-owner of CMBG3 Law and a trial attorney with over 18 years of environmental litigation experience and over 75 cases tried to verdict. His practice focuses on environmental litigation, compliance matters, and risk assessment, as well as the litigation of products liability and toxic chemicals cases. Mr. Gardella is the Chair of his firm’s PFAS practice group, as well as the firm’s Environmental practice group. He currently represents numerous companies involved in PFAS litigation, ranging in size to small family-owned companies to Fortune 500 companies. He has helped guide companies through compliance, due diligence, and risk assessment projects related to PFAS.

Dr. Passarella is an expert strategist in navigating international chemical regulations.  At Intertek, she uses her chemical and legal experience and skill at interpreting complex chemical regulations to design and implement effective policies to protect client’s products.  During her career, Dr. Passarella has advocated for sustainable chemical management to enable the manufacture and sale of products in US and global markets. After completing her Ph.D. in chemistry, she formulated products, managed R&D groups, and managed global Product Stewardship and Sustainability. It was during this time that she pursued a law degree at night school, and is licensed to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Her combination of industry experience, and an in-depth knowledge of chemistry and the law enables her to translate regulatory trends and requirements into business and compliance action plans.

Shari Barash is the Director of the New Chemicals Division (NCD) in EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics. Shari joined the NCD in July 2022 as the Deputy Director. Prior to that she served as the Chief of the National Branch in EPA’s Standards & Health Protection Division in EPA’s Office of Water. She has been a Chemical Engineer with EPA since 1991. In her role as Director and Deputy Director, Shari has led major initiatives such as the development of the New Chemicals PFAS Framework and efforts to increase transparency and communication with stakeholders. Shari received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Nhat Nguyen is a US licensed attorney with over 9 years of global regulatory compliance. He currently serves as the Chief Analyst for Enhesa Product Intelligence and leads a new department which provides further insights and solutions to Enhesa Product Intelligence's customers on regulatory compliance, technology and scientific data regarding chemical and chemical products. 

Maureen Ruskin former Deputy Director of the Directorate of Standards and guidance at OSHA (Retired December 2022).  Ms. Ruskin joined OSHA in 1997 and since that worked on several occupational health standards including silica, beryllium, hexavalent chromium, 1,3 butadiene, methylene chloride and the Hazard Communication Standard. Additionally, Ms. Ruskin was head of the US Delegation for UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System for classification and labelling of Hazardous Chemicals or GHS since July 2010 and Chair of the UN Subcommittee from December 2012 until her retirement. Currently, Ms. Ruskin provides consultation services on OSHA policy, standards and rulemaking, Hazard Communication, Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, and occupational exposure to toxic chemicals including chemical management and regulatory compliance with labelling and safety data sheets.

On June 1st, 2022, Dr. Séguin created an LLC company to act as an expert consultant in compliance and regulations related to chemicals, nationally and internationally.  He received his PhD in 1992 and now has over 30 years as a professional chemist and regulatory specialist.  His primary professional interest is with the worldwide deployment and updates of the GHS.  Dr. Seguin also joined ReddWall Solutions LLC as Product Stewardship Director, offering regulatory consulting to help chemical organizations with EPA PMN, SNUN, Bona Fide and NOC services to name a few.

Magdalena Jagla has over 15 years experience in the field of regulatory science and currently works as Acting Manager of Priority Assessment Section in the Substance Prioritization Assessment and Coordination Division, Science and Technology Branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Her work has focused on risk assessment of substances under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and related activities such as development of novel approaches to assess specifically-acting chemicals including EDCs. Magdalena has worked collaboratively with international colleagues including under the umbrella of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), particularly in development of case studies and to advance the use new approach methods (NAMs) in risk assessment. She also has research experience in evaluating the mode of action and effects of chemicals in wildlife species.

Dan Bastien is a subject matter expert in Canada with specific experience in the Chemical Management Plan. Dan serves as Senior Director of the Chemicals Group at Intertek Health Sciences, Inc. In this role, he delivers business development expertise, expert advice and direction to clients who seek support in understanding and complying with a wide variety of global chemical control legislation and regulatory initiatives. He works closely with the Chemicals team of regulatory and scientific experts who help clients address challenging regulatory climates and demanding marketplaces, in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Thomas Delille supports individual companies and industrial associations in the legal challenges triggered by a variety of EU regulations, with a strong focus on chemicals and other environmental, social and governance (ESG) legislations. Thomas’ practice covers the full life cycle of regulations, from influencing the inception of EU acts or decisions, to developing compliance strategies to address existing regulations. Thomas has solid EU litigation experience before EU Courts, as well as the Board of Appeal of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on REACH and CLP matters. In addition, Thomas has developed longstanding expertise in addressing complex due diligence obligations in the context of biodiversity legislations (Nagoya Protocol), allowing Thomas to support clients on emerging due diligence obligations in the ESG context (EU Batteries Regulation, Deforestation and the upcoming CS3D).

Melih has several years’ experience in dealing with Global Chemical Control legislation. He established CRAD A.S. as a founder partner having worked in the chemical industry for 16 years. He then formed CRAD adding a team of regulatory consultants with professional expertise. He and his team now provide support to a large number of clients on REACH, CLP and Turkish Regulatory compliance.

Lucy Wang graduated from George Washington University with a Master's degree in Environmental and Green Chemistry. She has been researching chemical regulations in different countries, and has been tracking major chemical regulatory updates in China for several years, especially for MEE Order 12 (also known as China REACH). She has also provided support for major updates in chemical regulations, advising dozens of companies in the chemical industry on compliance solutions.

Junho Lee is a Director at CIRS Group Korea and has 18 years of international experience specializing in the field of chemical regulations, standards and certifications in Korea, China and Europe. He has supported industry on major chemical regulatory updates around the world starting with EU REACH, and now Korea’s K-REACH.

Ana is currently the Head of Regulatory Affairs and Product Safety for Latin America at Givaudan in the fragrance and beauty business. During the last few years, Ana has supported the Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs function at DuPont, Chemours and Oxiteno and graduated as an Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer with extensive experience in regulatory affairs, product safety, product administration and environment, health and safety.

Aury Hathout, M. Env, VEA®, CEA, is a certified environmental auditor and has a Master’s degree in Environment combined with graduate education in Business Administration from the University of Sherbrooke. Since 2008, Aury provides practical consulting services, including environmental compliance and management systems auditing in multiple industrial and services sectors. He is the environmental compliance specialist of hundreds of electrical and electronic products sold worldwide, with any of the following requirements: RoHS, REACH SVHC, WEEE, PFAS, TSCA-PBT, Conflict Minerals, California Proposition 65, etc. At Enviropass, Aury works as the lab quality manager.

Kay currently works with the United Nations Environment Program as Head of the Global Framework on Chemicals secretariat, based in Geneva Switzerland.  The majority of her career was spent at the UK Department of Food, Environment and Rural Affairs where she was latterly the Head of International Chemicals, Pesticides and Hazardous Wastes hub.  She was a lead negotiator for the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes in addition to the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management - SAICM. Externally, she has chaired the Chemicals and Biotechnology Committee of the Environmental Health and Safety program at the OECD; co-chaired the UNEP Special Program Executive Board in addition to playing an active role in the UN Beyond 2020 intersessional process to develop the new Global Framework on Chemicals.