EU Member States vote in favor of European Commission-proposed criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in the field of plant protection products; both industry and NGOs view adopted criteria as ‘flawed,’ call on European Parliament to veto the proposal
Responses to draft EDC identification guidance
Responders to consultation on draft guidance for identification of EDCs criticize too high level of evidence required and too narrow scope
Bisphenol F disrupts thyroid endocrine system
Study shows bisphenol F disrupts hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and leads to body length reduction in zebrafish larvae
BPA during pregnancy affects thyroid function in newborn boys
First study to link maternal BPA exposure to neonatal thyroid function in male newborns but mechanisms remain unclear
EFSA identifies gaps in risk assessment guidance
Scientific Committee recommends new EFSA guidance on the use of the weight of evidence approach and biological relevance in toxicology
Opinion: Commission’s EDC criteria are illegal
Environmental law organization ClientEarth publishes legal opinion judging the European Commission’s EDC criteria non-compliant with the mandating regulations
Endocrine-active chemicals in baby bottles
Scientists test 65 chemicals migrating from ‘BPA-free’ baby bottles in a panel of in vitro assays for effects on seven receptors; 12 chemicals show no activity, 53 activate or inhibit at least one of the tested receptors
FPF comments on EU’s broad PFAS restriction proposal
The Food Packaging Forum (FPF) provides the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) scientific information on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials (FCMs) ahead of Risk Assessment Committee meeting; emphasizes concerns about PFAS’ persistence as a multiplier of toxicity; provides data on PFAS detected in and migrating from FCMs
Global Commitment and Brand Audit reports 2019
New Plastics Economy progress report applauds steps taken by signatories, highlights reductions in virgin plastic use by corporations, new policies introduced by governments; reminds readers much still to be done by 2025; Break Free From Plastic publishes 2019 Brand Audit Report, calls on top brands to reduce single-use plastic items
REACH: Completeness of registration dossiers
ECHA commits to reevaluating the completeness of REACH substance registrations following a Board of Appeal ruling finding that ECHA has previously failed to adequately do so