Study measures plasticizer levels in coffee powder and in brewed coffee
EU: Public consultation on chemicals legislation
European Commission announces public consultation on the regulatory fitness of chemicals legislation in the EU (REACH not included)
The EUROTOX/SOT debate: non-monotonicity and low dose effects
Scientists debate toxicological relevance of non-monotonic dose responses at low dose levels
EC to abandon non-toxic environment strategy
EU Commission considers stopping work on the EU’s non-toxic environment strategy in the presently foreseen form; industry welcomes the news, NGOs call it a ‘scandal’
Canadian Federal Court overrules government’s plastics toxicity label
Justice Angela Furlanetto deemed the Canadian Environment and Climate Change Department’s classification of manufactured plastics products as toxic unconstitutional; the federal government is appealing the decision; single use plastics ban is still in effect
Mercosur updates plastic food packaging regulation
South American trade bloc to no longer allow bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic food contact articles designed for children under 3 years old, lowers migration limit from other plastic FCAs; sets migration limits for 9 metals from plastic FCAs; adds substances to positive list for plastics and for cellulosic materials
EU sets ground rules for ‘essential use’ of hazardous chemicals
European Commission adopts guiding criteria for determining the ‘essential use’ of harmful chemicals, emphasizing that their use is justified only when necessary for health, safety, or crucial societal functions with no alternatives; essential use is not legally binding until incorporated into regulation
PFAS action plan by U.S. State of Connecticut
Interagency task force recommends reducing sources of PFAS including identifying uses in food packaging, enhancing state procurement of PFAS-free products, creation of ad-hoc group to review current research and nationwide actions
China approves new FCMs, additives, resins
National Health Commission announces newly approved additives for food contact materials (FCMs), expanded FCM uses, and resins for use in plastics and coatings
Proposed Philippine bill targets single-use plastic waste
Manila Times editorial raises concerns about waste management in the Philippines and calls for policy discussions; discusses the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Philippine Action Plan for Sustainable Consumption and Production, and the Extended Producer Responsibility Act; single-use plastics bill HB 507 stalling in the Philippine House of Representatives