European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) publishes report investigating potential scope and impacts of new EU chemicals regulations; finds up to 12,000 substances may be affected by revisions, which are responsible for 28% of the industry’s turnover; adhesives and sealants sectors expected to be most affected
Cadmium in decorated glassware
Review of cadmium pigments in consumer products; food-contact relevant sources include small quantities in recycled plastics, high use in ceramic products, main exposure risk from decorative paint used on drinkware
EEB analysis critical of ECHA microplastics restriction
European Environmental Bureau (EEB) disapproves of updates the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) made to its restriction proposal for microplastics in consumer and professional products; criticizes increase in microplastic size limit to 100 nm; ECHA defends changes, argues that regulation must be enforceable, cites lacking analytical techniques
PFASs in the environment
Scientists characterize global patterns of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the environment; emissions likely to continue for years to come; more research needed to cover PFASs other than PFOS and PFOA
Next chemical footprinting webinar
Chemical Footprint Project hosts follow-up webinar for in-depth discussion of the Assessment Tool on July 22, 2015; registration now open
California considers policy on PFAS in food packaging
US state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) holds virtual workshop to collect input from stakeholders on use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in plant fiber-based food packaging; suggests it could decide to limit scope of products considered in upcoming policy, draws criticism from advocacy groups
California’s plastic bag ban suspended
Referendum by plastic bag producers overturned the ban, voters to decide its fate on November 2016 ballot
Clarifications to REACH data requirements
European Commission publishes draft amendment to REACH text dealing with information requirements for chemicals dossiers; feedback accepted until November 16, 2020
U.S. Senate approves TSCA reform bill
Udall-Vitter chemical safety bill approved by U.S. Senate; House and Senate must now unify TSCA reform bills to create new U.S. chemical safety law
FPF Workshop 2017: Chinese legislation for FCMs
Marco Zhong from China’s National Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials presents the ongoing reform of Chinese legislation for FCMs, discusses challenges for regulation, enforcement, and compliance