European Council formally adopts new rules on single-use plastics and recycling targets; directive completes final step before becoming law; England to ban plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds from April 2020
FPF Workshop 2017: Science is not value-free
Karim Bschir from ETH Zurich argues that ‘good science is not value-free’ because scientists routinely make value-based judgments; he proposes that scientists should make their values explicit
Draft EU regulation streamlines certification of plastic FCM recycling processes
European Commission (EC) proposes regulation simplifying the process for the development, certification, and use of recycled plastic food contact materials (FCMs) in the EU; would replace earlier regulation (EC) No 282/2008; open for public comment until January 10, 2022
European Commission reports on public consultation about FCM revision
European Commission (EC) publishes final report on consultation period concerning FCM policy revision; results feature citizens’ and stakeholder’s opinions on extent of FCM policy; Commission adoption planned for second quarter of 2023
EU receives stakeholder feedback on FCM plans
European Commission receives 302 comments on inception impact assessment for revision of EU rules on food contact materials (FCM); Food Packaging Forum submits comments calling for revising definition to consider chemicals with difficult-to-identify safety levels, offers support to prioritize chemicals of concern
Another step towards a UN plastics treaty
Peru and Rwanda introduce a draft resolution to negotiate a global plastic pollution treaty at the inaugural United Nations Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution; 33 countries sign on as co-sponsors; more than 80 other nations support a UN resolution on plastics
Survey shows European consumers lack information about food contact articles
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) surveys EU consumers on experience, knowledge, and attitude on food packaging; consumers feel under informed; 90% of consumers support stricter rules to prevent health effects; recommends overhaul of EU food contact policies
FDA bans 2 more perfluorinated substances
Two perfluoroalkyl containing oil and water repellents can no longer be used in paper and board FCMs in the U.S.; petition to FDA claimed the substances’ use has been abandoned
US EPA takes action on long-chain perfluorinated chemicals
US Environmental Protection Agency proposed Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) for soon-to-be phased-out perfluorinated chemicals
UK government urged to restrict PFAS in packaging
Letter from stakeholders including civil society groups and actor Mark Ruffalo asks UK ministers to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper and board food packaging; petition to UK supermarkets collecting public signatures