2012 report on European rapid alerts of enforcement authorities shows slightly less food contact related notifications compared to 2011, Chinese imports of particular concern
European Parliament calls for reduced material use, better ecodesign
European Parliament approves report calling for European Commission to adopt binding targets and expanded EcoDesign Directive within Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), aims to reduce overall consumption and material use; proposes solutions to problems of higher prices for recycled materials and low availably of high-quality recycled materials
Most chemicals remain untested
Report by the Center for Effective Government reveals that less than 1% of chemicals on the U.S. market are tested for safety
U.S. objects to plastic waste trade agreements
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sends letter objecting to adoption of plastic waste trade regulations between OECD member states, against recent Basel Convention amendments
JRC report on nanomaterial identification
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes report with guidance on measurement techniques to identify nanomaterials under the EU definition; includes practical examples and flowchart to support analysis
US action plan to prevent infertility
US government agency publishes action plan to prevent infertility; aims to reduce exposure to EDCs
UK to stick with EU FCM legislation
UK will adopt EU FCM framework regulation and material-specific regulations after leaving EU; situation for non-harmonized FCMs under debate
Opinion: Plastic packaging should be simplified
Cradle to Cradle scientist Michael Braungart calls for fewer and simplified polymers to create material cycles rather than waste
Nature: scientists claim effects at very low dose, regulators are not yet convinced
Researchers are discovering low-dose effects of endocrine disruptors since the seventies yet the issue remains a controversy and chemical regulation remains to be modified
Significant phthalate exposure from recycling
New study investigates effects of recycling policies on childhood exposure to phthalates, 18% increase in DBP exposure