Civil society organization Foodwatch Germany is petitioning the German government to follow the lead of France and Spain in banning plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables; claims ban would save more than 60,000 tons of plastic waste; French ban went into effect January 2022, Spain plans ban for 2023, Foodwatch petitions Germany for ban by 2026
EFSA supports research on AOPs
Call for research proposals on adverse outcome pathways identifying new endocrine disrupting chemicals research, focus on uterine adenocarcinoma; proposals to be submitted to European Food Safety Authority until September 14, 2020
EC study guides creation of sustainable-by-design criteria
European Commission (EC) releases study mapping current sustainability initiatives and research applicable to creating sustainable-by-design criteria; particular focus on materials and chemicals, including a section assessing nanomaterials; finds few policies related to the production phase of a material’s life cycle; next steps are to identify specific aspects of sustainability to be covered in the criteria and how to evaluate them
FDA bans BPA from infant formula packaging
US FDA responds to petition by representative Markey, ban not based on safety concerns
CNN reports: BPA linked to higher mortality risk
Mainstream media reporting on new scientific study linking increased human exposure to bisphenol A with increased risk for premature death 10 years later in US adults; recommendations on how to avoid or reduce exposure to hazardous chemical
Multi-stakeholder forum on TTIP
Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue brings together participants from civil society, government, legislators and business to discuss consumer issues regarding TTIP
EC solicits feedback on ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy roadmap
European Commission (EC) opens feedback period on the roadmap for strategy that aims to transition to a sustainable food system; comments accepted until March 16, 2020
ECHA identifies 34 bisphenols for group restriction
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommends 34 bisphenols be classified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) as a group; three of the bisphenols already individually classified as SVHCs; for some bisphenols, more data necessary before classification; group classification can help avoid regrettable substitution
Forum on EU circular economy package in Switzerland
World Circular Economy Forum 2019
Conference in Helsinki, Finland focuses on discussing how to scale up transition to circular economy, includes session on plastics and circular bioeconomy