EU withdraws exemption under Stockholm Convention that allowed recycling of materials containing the brominated flame retardants tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE)
EFSA opinion on wood flour and fibres
EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) concludes that information supporting the current authorization of wood flour and fibres for use in plastic food contact materials is ‘insufficient’; criteria for future evaluations of plant materials for use as plastics additives address migration and toxicological evaluation of migrants
Controversy over TTIP
Greenpeace leaks TTIP negotiation documents implying risks for environment and public health; EU Commissioner for trade asserts that trade deal will not lower EU standards
Draft 15th amendment to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU Commission drafting new amendment for EU Regulation 10/2011 on plastic FCMs; authorizes new substances, decreases non-detect migration limits, adds migration limits for elements and metals
Recycling of flexible polyethylene
Plastics Recyclers Europe publishes paper identifying key barriers to increasing recycling of flexible polyethylene films, calls for harmonized collection and sorting as well as design for recycling guidelines
List of biocide suppliers published
ECHA makes available the list of active biocidal substances on the EU market including the substance or product suppliers
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
Protein-based food packaging reviewed
Scientists review the use of proteins in production of food packaging, discuss main protein sources, manufacturing methods, improvement strategies and future prospects
U.S. EPA’s activities on perchlorate
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes measure to reduce exposure to perchlorate from drinking water, releases report confirming perchlorate’s effects on fetal brain development
Sustainable development and green chemistry
Food Packaging Forum and Green Buzz host business lunch event in Zurich with the author of Our Stolen Future, Dr. John Peterson Myers