European Commission publishes roadmap draft, details options for regulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals used in biocidal and plant protection products
South Africa to combat plastic pollution
South Africa announces new ‘Source to Sea’ initiative to fight plastic pollution, considers actions on microbeads and single-use plastics, plans to boost recycling and consumer awareness
US EPA calls for comments on national recycling strategy
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes draft strategy focusing on reducing contamination, increasing processing efficiency, improving markets for recycled materials; aims to address set of key problems within current recycling system; open for public comment until December 4, 2020
Chemical footprinting: First annual report
Chemical Footprint Project releases inaugural report; provides insights into leading companies’ chemicals management
ECHA committees agree on restriction of 4 phthalates
ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis support proposal to ban endocrine disrupting phthalates DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP in various articles; all 4 substances relevant for food contact materials
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
Printing ink compounds detected in foods
UK survey finds eight different printing ink chemicals in food samples as well as their packaging
Exposures and Latent Disease Risk: Identifying Hallmarks and Key Characteristics
EFSA opinion on PFOA and PFOS in food
EFSA scientific opinion suggests revision of tolerable intake values for two perfluoroalkyl substances