ChemSec hosts webinar explaining its SIN List on October 3, 2018; registration now open
Information requirements for SCIP database
European Chemicals Agency sets information requirements for upcoming database on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) in products; requires name, concentration, location of SVHC in article; notification to be required from January 5, 2021
Bottle cap liners test positive for phthalates and PVC
Toxic Free Food Campaign reports on the use of ortho-phthalates and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in cap gaskets of bottled beverages from 141 brands; finds 66% of the cap liners made of PVC and gaskets of 50 beverage brands to contain ortho-phthalates; several beverage companies respond by announcing to phase out phthalates
US FDA and EPA publish requests for information on PFAS
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asks for information on the use of fluorinated polyethylene for food contact and dietary exposure due to migration; US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks responses to specific questions to help form PFAS strategic action plan; FDA comment period open until October 18, 2022, and EPA period until August 29, 2022
SIN List update includes 20 food contact chemicals
ChemSec announces major update to Substitute It Now (SIN) List, adds 47 new chemicals including including persistent, mobile, and toxic substances, carbon nanotubes; announcement event brings together stakeholders to discuss clean circular economy
Updated SIN Producers List
International Chemical Secretariat updates SIN Producers List, illustrates 2016-2017 trends in production of hazardous industrial chemicals
Environmental risks of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins
Scientists review production, environmental occurrence, and toxicity of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins; substantial risks may necessitate regulatory actions
Nestlé launches packaging research institute
Swiss multinational food and drink company holds inauguration event for new institute to focus on food packaging research; focus to be placed on re-useable packaging, simplifying packaging design, transitioning to paper and biodegradable and compostable plastics
UN urges removing hazardous additives in plastics
Report by United Nations’ regional center investigates presence of toxic substances added into plastics; identifies key chemical classes and product categories of concern; calls for redesigning materials, transparent ingredient labelling, increased producer responsibility
Study associates phthalate exposure with postpartum depression
Research article in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism measures phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in urine of 139 pregnant women, assesses occurrence of depression four months postpartum; finds detection of phthalates linked to low progesterone levels, association with depression