17th meeting of the Stockholm Convention’s Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) considers scientific evidence, agrees to move all substances onto next step in review process; long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, and UV-328 all known to have been used in food packaging
Commission publishes roadmap for circular economy action plan
European Commission publishes roadmap for circular economy action plan; aims to accelerate transition away from linear economy, include sustainable products policy; public feedback period open until January 20, 2020
ECHA committees support restricting C6 PFAS and related substances
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis adopt final opinions supporting Germany’s proposal to restrict the six-carbon chain (C6) undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances; restriction on this per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) specifically targets its use in food contact materials
Polyfluorinated compounds in food packaging
The Food Packaging Forum reports on uses, risks and regulation
European Commission publishes TTIP legal texts
EU textual proposals in bilateral trade talks publicly available, EC commits to higher level of transparency
Combined phthalate exposure may exceed regulatory limit
New Danish study on exposure to phthalate mixtures, combined exposure in young men may occasionally exceed safe limit
Inspections for REACH compliance begin
Inspectors and customs authorities to systematically check importers and manufacturers for registration obligations under REACH
German BfR comments on the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) comments on the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS); criticizes the alleged exclusion of scientific risk assessment experts in the development and implementation of the CSS; comments supported by others with demonstrated ties to chemical industry.
Civil society urges European Commission to phase out PVC in food packaging
Zero Waste Europe publishes brief highlighting problems with polyvinyl chloride in food contact applications; advocates for restrictions due to health concerns from additives and microplastics; another report supports ECHA’s findings on significant risks associated with PVC; European civil society organizations petition phase out strategies
Maine FCC priority list open for comments
Maine Department of Environmental Protection publishes list of ten food contact chemicals (FCCs) of high concern, follows state’s Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging legislation; includes bisphenols, parabens, benzophenone, 4-octyl phenol, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, toluene, styrene, benzene methylenedianiline, nonylphenol; open for comments until March 10, 2021