European Commission adopts guiding criteria for determining the ‘essential use’ of harmful chemicals, emphasizing that their use is justified only when necessary for health, safety, or crucial societal functions with no alternatives; essential use is not legally binding until incorporated into regulation
Dissolvable milk pods for coffee
German researchers develop dissolvable, single-serve milk and sugar capsules for hot drinks as alternative to coffee creamers packaged in small plastic containers
DG Sanco to assume EDC criteria
DG Sanco to develop EDC criteria in upcoming legislative period, DG Environment will remain in charge of overall strategy and test methods
EFSA CEP Panel updates from May to September 2022
Minutes available from recent meetings of the working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, and phthalates within the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel)
US EPA withdraws rules on “chemicals of concern list” and information disclosure
Huffington Post reports on withdrawal of two proposed rules by the US EPA, no longer necessary due to other efforts
Fresenius Conference on EDCs
Fresenius Academy holds 7th International Conference on EDCs; UK regulatory representative and pesticide industry call for inclusion of ‘potency perspective’ in EDC identification criteria; most other country representatives and NGOs in favor of hazard-based identification
Scientific consensus statement on food contact chemicals and human health
Group of 33 international scientists publish peer-reviewed statement identifying seven specific areas for improvement, urge decision makers to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals present in food packaging and other contact food contact materials
BPA and analogues: Multiple targets and effects
Scientists highlight BPA’s interactions with multiple molecular targets besides estrogen receptor; growing body of evidence demonstrates similar pleiotropic actions of BPA substitutes such as BPS, BPF, BPAF and others
EU Commissioners responsible for plastics
Industry news provider reports on new EU commissioners responsible for duties affecting plastics
Sweden disappointed by reaction to EDC court ruling
Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment and several NGOs criticize European Commission’s inaction following EU court ruling regarding the setting of EDC criteria