Colombia Plastics Pact launches; the second Latin American country to join the Plastics Pact program; reports show UK and US Plastics Pacts are unlikely to hit 2025 goals as total plastic use keeps increasing
Scientists investigate chemicals in plant-based materials
Review summarizes chemicals present in and migrating from food contact articles made with wood, bamboo, and other plant-based materials; researchers identify and quantify 25 non-volatile compounds from bamboo, palm leaf, wood and wheat pulp dishes; tentatively identify 115 non-volatile chemicals in extracts from six plant fiber/plastic composites; detect phthalates in Brazilian dry foods in cellulose-based packaging
CSS roundtable publishes enforcement recommendations
Members of the high-level roundtable on implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) publishes joint report; provides ten recommendations to improve enforcement and compliance of chemicals legislation; calls for ‘whistle blower’ mechanism and support for consumer and health organizations
REACH requirements for reproductive toxicity changed
ECHA now requires one generation reprotoxicity test method
Regulatory acceptance of non-animal tests
U.S. federal agencies’ committee releases draft roadmap for further developmnt of alternative testing approaches, aimed at improving regulatory acceptance; public consultation open until August 31, 2017
U.S. government publishes strategy to combat plastic pollution
White House releases plan to reduce impacts of plastic across the entire lifecycle; aims to eliminate single-use plastic in federal food service by 2027, and in all federal operations by 2045
New material and packaging solutions for a circular economy
Ellen MacArthur Foundation reveals all winners of New Plastics Economy Innovations Prize; 11 innovators awarded for new recyclable and compostable material and packaging solutions
Nestlé steps towards packaging commitment
Food and beverage company Nestlé outlines specific steps in reaching its commitment of 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025
Harmonizing ECHA and EFSA data
EU Parliament’s Environment Committee launches working group on harmonization of safety data held by EU chemicals, food safety and medicines agencies
Food Packaging Forum: Workshop 2016
Save the date for the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop on October 25, 2016 in Zurich, Switzerland; first announcement of speakers and topics