Swedish Member of Parliament makes a motion calling for the grouping of chemicals with structural similarity
EC publishes BPA roadmap
DG SANTE releases roadmap on new measures on BPA in FCMs; different options from no policy change to EU-wide ban on BPA in FCMs discussed and assessed
Nanomaterials in waste streams
Non-profit organizations call for better control of manufactured nanomaterials in waste streams in declaration with over 80 signatories worldwide
French retailers restrict mineral oils in food
Six French retailers set limit values for MOSH and MOAH in their own-brand food products
BfR statement on bamboo cups and tableware
German institute for risk assessment publishes position statement on melamine-formaldehyde resins, including tableware made with bamboo fibers; warns consumers against using such tableware with hot liquids; recommends lowering specific migration limit of formaldehyde in EU regulation from 15 to 6 mg/kg
Majority of plastic food contact articles likely endocrine and metabolism disrupting
Two studies investigating chemicals from retail plastic food contact articles find considerable variability in complexity, with subsequent effects on cell-based tests of hormone disruption; many more chemicals measured from PVC and polyurethane than other polymers though the chemical mixtures from majority of the plastic samples are hormone disrupting; further evidence of PVC and PUR can interfere with GPCR-based cell communication
Governments and stakeholders reflect on toxics in recycling
Recycling association, non-governmental organization, and European Commission comment on ways to safely minimize and manage substances of concern in recycling streams during transition to circular economy; Dutch national institute publishes report identifying challenges and recommendations, describes 2050 national goal
BEUC, CHEM Trust call for reformed EU FCM regulations
European Consumer Organization (BEUC) publishes position paper on current EU food contact material (FCM) regulation, calls for answers to known deficiencies, harmonized regulation; CHEM Trust letter to European Commissioner for Health outlines concerns, recommends following five key principles
EU surveys consumers on nanotechnology
European Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) publishes survey that reveals 87% of consumers from five EU countries wish for better labelling of everyday products containing nanotechnology
Standardizing Benchmark Dose (BMD) calculations
New study assesses reliability of standardized Benchmark Dose calculations, more dose groups and lower number of animals make for better BMD model