Ministry of Environment report investigates improving management of hazardous chemicals by group, consideration of mixture toxicity in risk assessment; provides 11 recommendations for regulators; public comments accepted until May 29, 2020
Opinion: Caution needed on simplified REACH authorization process
CHEM Trust is concerned that simplification proposals for REACH could increase chemical risks
EFSA assesses 2 substances for use in FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers α-tocopherol acetate safe for use in polyolefins and concludes that migration of zinc from nanoparticles in non-plasticized polymers complies with the current SML, however concerns exist over dietary exposure from other sources
Californian District Court holds acrylamide lawsuits
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California grants preliminary injunction halting new lawsuits to enforce the Proposition 65 warning requirement for acrylamide in food and beverages; Californian Chamber of Commerce claims no scientific consensus, argues labels misleading consumers, unconstitutionally forcing speech; only applies to new acrylamide lawsuits; motion for summary judgment denied
Review on mineral oil hydrocarbons in food
Scientific review summarizes publications on mineral oil hydrocarbons in food until 2010, calls for systematic investigation of contamination sources, matching TDI levels for contamination and industrial applications
Conflicts of interest: EU consumer safety
New research by non-profit campaign group investigates industry links of scientists advising the EU
Five EU Member States register intention to restrict PFAS
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden jointly inform the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of their intention to submit a REACH restriction dossier on PFAS in 2022; stakeholders can contribute information to inform the dossier’s development until September 19, 2021
MigraTox: Optimizing in vitro testing of FCMs
Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry and Technology (OFI) initiates MigraTox project to work on optimizing and standardizing sample preparation and bioassays for in vitro testing of food contact materials; focuses on genotoxicity assays; calls on industrial partners to collaborate and provide samples
Draft EU directive on single-use plastics leaked
EU Commission’s draft proposal to reduce plastic pollution plans banning certain single-use plastic items, making producers pay for clean-up and recycling, requiring EU Member States to collect plastic bottles
Ways towards more sustainable packaging
Brands, packaging producers and other stakeholders gather in Barcelona to discuss sustainable packaging; current focus on increasing recycling, but packaging reduction and reuse are the mid-term aims; chemical safety only touched upon briefly