Group of scientists calls for maintaining chemical regulation’s status quo; toxicologist and pharmacologist express concern that the forthcoming EDC regulation will not be based on science and erase established risk assessment approaches
Consumers perceive compostable packaging as most sustainable, report says
McKinsey report investigates consumers’ attitudes toward sustainability in food packaging; finds hygiene & food safety, as well as shelf life are most important aspects to consumers; consumers think compostable and plant-based packaging is the most sustainable, metal containers among least sustainable
Analysis of chemically non-compliant products
European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) analyzes European RAPEX database on non-food products, finds 92% of tested and non-compliant REACH chemicals found in products were imported from outside of Europe; calls for improved enforcement and tools
ChemSec’s advice to speed up SVHC listing
NGO International Chemical Secretariat urges European Chemicals Agency’s director to encourage ‘better use’ of precautionary principle in order to speed up SVHC identification, resist industry pressure
Canada identifies four parabens for toxic substances list
Government publishes draft screening assessment of 7 parabens, identifies 4 to present danger to human health or environment at current levels of exposure; proposed risk management published; findings open for public comment until May 13, 2020
Safety assessment of biodegradable polymer
EFSA deems poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate) safe for use in food contact materials for dry or solid food
REACH and CLP progress report
ECHA publishes second report on the operation of the REACH and CLP regulation; knowledge of chemical properties increased; companies still need to provide more and better data
EU plastics strategy published
European Commission adopts EU-wide strategy for plastics in the circular economy, aims to make all plastic packaging recyclable, reduce single-use plastics, ban intentional microplastics
Competitive advantages of sustainable packaging
Opinion article highlights growing demand for sustainable packaging and opportunities for consumer packaged goods industry
Food cans, printing inks identified as priority products
U.S. state of Washington identifies food cans as priority products under its safer products program for being a significant source of bisphenols, highlighted as major concern for human exposure and volume used; printing inks also included as source of polychlorinated biphenyls