Negotiation of the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR) is underway; negotiator removing reusable packaging targets for takeaway food and drink sales; concerns over measuring reuse versus refill; others highlight benefits of reusables beyond greenhouse gas emissions; negotiators can propose amendments until May 10, 2023; committee votes in September, Plenary in October
FPF Workshop 2019: Perspectives on innovations
Innovations improving the safety of food contact articles discussed during afternoon session; panel with guests from academia, non-profit organizations, start-ups and industry
Natural spring water in 100% recycled PET bottles
Nestlé Waters North America brand Resource Natural Spring Water launches new plastic bottle made from 100% recycled PET
FPF Workshop 2019: How to improve FCM law and enforcement in the EU
Konrad Grob criticizes FCM regulation and enforcement in the EU, suggests future actions for improvement
Mercosur updates plastic food packaging regulation
South American trade bloc to no longer allow bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic food contact articles designed for children under 3 years old, lowers migration limit from other plastic FCAs; sets migration limits for 9 metals from plastic FCAs; adds substances to positive list for plastics and for cellulosic materials
BfR answers consumer questions on EDCs
German risk assessment institute opens fourth online-dialogue forum for consumers, questions on EDCs to be answered by president
Tanzania proposes limits for polyethylene FCM additives
Includes hundreds of additive compounds used in food contact materials (FCMs) with corresponding restriction limits and detailed testing methods; restrictions planned to be implemented in summer 2021
Canada and Germany propose plans to reduce plastic, support reusable packaging
Canada proposes large grocery retailers implement measures to reduce food contact plastics; includes removing plastics from certain products, reuse/refill, and recycling targets; Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment drafted a similar law; Canadian government seeking feedback from stakeholders until August 30, 2023
Health costs of PFAS estimated
Nordic Co-operation publishes socioeconomic analysis of environmental and human health impacts from exposure to PFAS; estimates EEA member countries incur 52 to 84 billion Euro in PFAS-related health costs annually
Polystyrene loophole criticized in EU Single Use Plastics Directive
Perspective article highlights extruded polystyrene loophole in the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP); SUP bans expanded polystyrene for single-use applications but not structurally similar extruded polystyrene; manufacturers and retailers can switch to alternate material with little net change to hazard or pollution potential