World Economic Forum (WEF) webinar features presentations investigating environmental challenges created by COVID-19 pandemic; discusses effects on the shift away from single-use plastics and on ability to recycle, reviews strategies for moving forward
EFSA prioritizes substances for setting SMLs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel publishes scientific opinion prioritizing 451 substances for creation of specific migration limits (SMLs) for plastic food contact materials; the 3 identified high priority substances are salicylic acid, styrene, and vinyl laurate
NIAS in laminated bioplastics
Study investigates composition of biodegradable adhesive and chemical migration from bioplastics laminates, identifies several NIAS, shows importance for migration testing of finished material
Opinion on polymers under REACH
Paul Ashford from Anthesis-Caleb consultancy discusses challenges in ‘dealing with polymers under REACH,” calls for clear guidance on substance identification of polymers; EU project aims to identify ‘polymers of concern’
UBA study investigates BPA alternatives
German Environment Agency (UBA) identifies 44 environmentally relevant potential substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA); tests 26 substances in receptor and screening assays, identifies only one substance with both sufficient data and not displaying endocrine-active effects
Food contact related European food alerts in 2012
2012 report on European rapid alerts of enforcement authorities shows slightly less food contact related notifications compared to 2011, Chinese imports of particular concern
China consults on two new substances in FCMs
National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) opens public consultation on use of polyethylene in polyoxymethylene plastics and 2-propenoic acid, polymer with 1,3-butadiene and ethenyl benzene for use in adhesives
Amendments to EU plastic FCM regulation
EU notifies World Trade Organization of next amendments to plastic FCM regulation; two new substances authorized, specific migration limits changed for two other substances
Detecting BPA in food
European Commission Joint Research Centre develops analytical methods for determining BPA and 12 similar substances in food
Phthalate-alternative linked to metabolic disruption
New study shows metabolite of plasticizer DINCH induces fat cell formation