European Commission adopts new regulation banning export of hazardous and hard to recycle plastic waste to non-OECD countries from January 1, 2021; clean and recyclable plastic exports to only be approved under strict conditions; prior informed consent required for all intra-EU shipments
Thailand proposes standards on plastic food contact articles
Thailand notifies the World Trade Organization of five draft regulations concerning plastic utensils as well as concerning microwaveable and non-microwavable plastic bags
Malaysia sets metal migration limits for ceramics
Notification to World Trade Organization (WTO) expands regulations to cover ceramic cooking ware, sets migration limits of 0.5 mg/L for lead and 0.05 mg/L for cadmium
Germany notifies WTO of MOAH restrictions
German authorities notify World Trade Organization (WTO) about intention to restrict mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food contact materials and articles made from recycled paper and board; sets migration limits into food (<0.5 mg/kg) and food simulant (<0.15 mg/kg); will come into effect three years after publication
Nine SVHCs to include on Authorisation list
European Chemicals Agency recommends adding nine substances of very high concern (SVHCs) to the REACH Authorisation list; non-profit organization Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) criticizes omission of some substances as well as delays on behalf of European Commission
Call to ban oxo-degradable plastics
Statement from Ellen MacArthur Foundation calls for global ban on oxo-degradable plastic packaging; signatories include major businesses, trade associations, NGOs, scientists and government representatives
California identifies candidate substance groups
Department of Toxic Substances Control announces candidate groups of substances used in food packaging to be priority products under Safe Consumer Products program; includes BPA and alternatives, PFAS, and ortho-phthalates; two additional workshops scheduled in November and January to discuss chemicals, answer open questions
Revised EDC criteria released
European Commission releases revised draft criteria for identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); Member States to discuss the revised proposals on November 18
Ranking of U.S. retailers’ safer chemicals programs
Non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families evaluates 11 U.S. retailers regarding their efforts in removing toxic chemicals; overall retailers’ safer chemicals programs need improvement