EU Reference Laboratory for FCMs publishes a report on interlaboratory comparison for controlling the temperature during migration tests by article filling; results satisfactory only for 30% of the participating laboratories; follow-up study is planned
Danish consumer products testing program might lose funding
The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals, testing consumer products for chemicals of concern, might not get its grant renewed for 2017
EC’s proposal for regulating printed FCMs
EU Commission publishes proposal for new regulatory approach for Union measure on printed FCMs, discussed during May 2017 meeting of working group on FCMs with Member States
Danish nano register proposal continues to stand still
European Commission sends questions to Danish government, extends nano register proposal standstill for 3 months
Experts question US FDA’s safety assessment of recycled plastics
Environmental Health News reports on process to approve recycled plastic products for food contact; researchers quoted in the article argue that the approach is insufficient; more thorough testing and safety assessments needed
Packaging stakeholder guidance on converting to reuse, using safer additives
Sustainable Packaging Coalition publishes guidance for converting to refillable or returnable packaging systems; CHEM Forward releases tool to help identify safer additives to use in plastic packaging
New Plastics Economy: Global commitment report
New Plastics Economy initiative of Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches its first Global Commitment report detailing industry and government progress on tackling plastic pollution
Beverage container associations urge support for deposit programs
Aluminum, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging manufacturer associations ask US state governments to clearly communicate container return process to consumers, stress importance of recycling returned containers to meet currently high packaging demand during COVID-19 pandemic
Nordic Council promotes sustainable plastic use
The Nordic Council of Ministers presents new program containing six strategic goals to reduce environmental impact of plastic
Studies examine phthalate migration from PVC films and adhesives
Recent articles in scientific journals analyze plastic packaging and adhesive materials used in contact with food for phthalate content and migration; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cling films and adhesive labels are source of phthalate contamination to food; food characteristics, e.g., structure of fruit peel, lipid content, influence migration level; recommend avoiding direct food contact to labels, minimizing exposure time