European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes life cycle assessment (LCA) case studies covering five single-use versus reusable packaging scenarios; incorporates 16 impacts; paper production practices and consumer behavior play significant role in final, single impact score; reuse tended to perform better in most scenarios, significantly so when comparing reusable glass bottles versus single-use glass
March 1, 2024
New report discusses state-of-knowledge about effects from endocrine disruptors
Joint publication from the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and The Endocrine Society establishes state of endocrine (i.e., hormone) disruption research; reviews knowledge of human health effects from EDC exposure in pesticides, plastics, PFAS, and children’s products; calls for chemical regulations based on modern understanding of how hormones act and how EDCs can affect these actions
March 1, 2024
Linking chemical exposures to birth outcomes: Insights from the ECHO Program
Two studies use Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program in the US to investigate chemical exposures and birth outcomes; several phthalates associated with decreased gestational age, increased risk of preterm birth; ~56,595 preventable preterm births and $3.84 billion healthcare costs in US annually
February 28, 2024
Unexpected SVHC phthalate metabolite found in humans, including children
German biomonitoring study finds mono-n-hexyl phthalate in majority of samples, indicating widespread exposure to substance of very high concern (SVHC) di-n-hexyl phthalate or related compounds; sources of exposure currently under investigation; contribution of food contact materials to human exposure possible, but only limited data available
February 23, 2024
Japan updates food contact materials positive list
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare publishes lists of polymers, additives, and monomers permitted for use in food contact; enforcement of updated list and use requirements set for June 1, 2025; Japanese industry organization publishes discussion paper on chemicals management for products in the circular economy
February 22, 2024
EU policymakers push to address PPWR sticking points during final negotiations
Looming March 4th deadline pressures EU institutions to find agreement on open points within the draft Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); steering note from Belgian presidency calls for compromises, highlights key topics; stakeholders express concerns over draft regulation’s lightweighting of materials, requirement for closed loop recycling processes, and handling of chemical safety
February 22, 2024
Switzerland updates federal law on food contact materials and articles
Removes list of unevaluated substances used in packaging inks; updates positive lists of for packaging inks, plastics, and silicones; brings ceramic and glass regulations in alignment with EU
February 14, 2024
Efforts to track plastic flows in EU and Canada
EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes improved model of plastic product flows and recycling in the EU; new model design is easy to update when new information becomes publicly available; Canada consulting on a draft plastic products registry to track plastic flows in the country
February 12, 2024
European Commission publishes bisphenol restriction proposal for FCMs
European Commission proposes ban on bisphenol A in food contact with a 36-month transition period for varnishes, coatings and professional production equipment, 18 months for most everything else; monitoring of unintentional BPA in recycled paper and board proposed to be left to business operators; submit comments until March 8, 2024
February 12, 2024
Growing concerns around industry lobbying in the EU
European Parliament opening internal investigation into lobbyist conduct related to the packaging and packaging waste regulation; civil society organization Corporate Europe Observatory publishes report of industry arguments made to DG Grow and DG Environment about the essential use concept
