Experts identify challenges for risk assessment and management of food contact chemicals, present toxicity tests and analytical tools for safer food packaging
REACH investigation flags non-compliant companies
German NGO BUND uses freedom of information request to identify substances and companies implicated in incomplete REACH dossiers, calls on ECHA to increase transparency of substance registrations
EU Commission’s 2nd round table meeting on EDCs
First results of EDC screening expected by autumn 2015; entire impact assessment to be finalized in 2016
EFSA: Rules for managing competing interests
EFSA publishes rules underpinning its new independence policy; rules to be first applied to renewal of Scientific Panels in July 2018
EFSA conference: Materials available online
EFSA publishes proceedings, briefing notes and video recordings of its 2nd scientific conference held on October 14-16, 2015 in Milan, Italy
EC comments on EFSA’s communication of BPA risk assessment
DG SANTE informed CHEM Trust that communication on BPA risk assessment is EFSA’s responsibility, JRC works on EU regulation for non-plastic FCMs
EFSA evaluates glass fiber sizing component for FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers [3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyl]trimethoxy silane safe for making glass-fiber-reinforced plastic food contact materials under certain conditions
TSCA evaluation of 1,4-dioxane criticized
Comments on draft risk evaluation question cancer hazard assessment; pending study raises concern for stakeholders regarding transparency; comments being accepted until August 30, 2019
Stakeholders pressure EU Commission on chemicals strategy
Corporate European Observatory concerned lobbying from chemical manufacturers will convince authorities to weaken ambition for reforms; EU member states send letter to Commission calling for long-term strategy for toxic-free circular economy; public petition launched calling for Commission to live up to its own commitments
Associations report European packaging recycling rates
Industry associations report recycling rates of packaging materials in Europe; average collection rate of glass bottles and jars hit 80% in 2020; paper packaging recycling over 80%; paper recycling rates close to theoretical maximum; plastic recycling has not increased despite increased demand by beverage companies; two-thirds of plastic-packaging pledges in Europe failed, supporting the change away from single-use likely necessary