GLP core study of CLARITY-BPA research program finds ‘few significant effects’ in rats chronically exposed to bisphenol A; American Chemistry Council emphasizes that BPA is safe for consumers
EFSA prioritizes substances for setting SMLs
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel publishes scientific opinion prioritizing 451 substances for creation of specific migration limits (SMLs) for plastic food contact materials; the 3 identified high priority substances are salicylic acid, styrene, and vinyl laurate
EFSA: New safe liquid absorber
EFSA finds liquid absorber based on crosslinked polyacrylic acid and sodium salt safe for food contact; does not exceed migration limit
New EFSA phthalates working group: 1st meeting
EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on phthalates reassesses safety of DBP, BBP and DEHP for food contact plastics; new meeting minutes now available online
EFSA publishes opinion on mineral oils
In an opinion published in June EFSA concludes that there might be a need of reconsideration of Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADIs) of some Mineral Oil ‘saturated’ Hydrocarbons (MOSHs)
EFSA assesses safety of 3 FCM substances
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate), polyacrylic acid, sodium salt, cross-linked, and potassium metabisulfite safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions
Commission decides against EU nano register
European Commission declines EU register for nanomaterials and confirms that new information requirements for nanomaterials under REACH will not be introduced before 2018
U.K. committee report on toxic chemicals
Parliamentary committee report calls for greater transparency of chemicals used in food packaging, recommends U.K.-wide ban on SVHCs in food contact materials, proposes government strategy to reduce PFAS exposure
Rethink plastic's open letter to EU Commission
Rethink plastic NGO alliance sends open letter to EU Commission, asks for a ‘strong and harmonized EU legislation’ within EU Strategy on Plastics
European Commission introduces EDC subcategories and new hazard classes in CLP revision
Commission amends regulation on classification, labeling, and packaging (CLP) of chemicals and mixtures; endocrine disrupting chemicals now categorized into known or presumed and suspected endocrine disruptors; introduces four hazard classes from REACH