Korean researchers review characteristics, application type and effectiveness of current active and intelligent packaging technologies
China’s PVC pipe makers may phase out lead
PlasticsEurope reports on Chinese industry move to replace lead as a stabilizer in PVC pipes
Indian draft FCM standard for printing inks
Bureau of Indian Standards consults on revised draft standard for printing inks in food contact materials; recommends exclusion of several pigments, dyes, solvents, plasticizers and other compounds from printing ink formulations
Opinion: Plastic packaging should be simplified
Cradle to Cradle scientist Michael Braungart calls for fewer and simplified polymers to create material cycles rather than waste
Packaging: Food waste vs. plastic waste
C&EN presents the debate on the costs of food packaging made of flexible plastics and multilayered structures: Less food waste and economic benefits vs. more difficult recycling and negative environmental impacts
European Commission hosts workshop to contribute to substitution planning
Report from workshop on “strengthening the role of substitution planning” finds consensus and sticking points on road to REACH revision; broad consensus that industry should be responsible for creating the substitution plans but disagreements on how to assess the plan and monitor implementation; study on substitution planning to be published by the end of 2024
FCM-relevant AOP research
Scientists explore adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) associated with bisphenols, phthalates, perchlorate, food additives, microplastics; discuss ways of using AOPs to predict chemical hazards, assess mixture toxicity
Roadmap for EU FCM policy revision
EU Commission’s DG SANTE publishes Inception Impact Assessment as roadmap for revision of EU regulations on food contact materials; outlines eight main “issues” identified during ongoing evaluation, possible policy options to be considered by planned Impact Assessment; commenting period open until January 29, 2021
Risk assessment of chemical mixtures
Scientists from EC Joint Research Centre review legislation and approaches currently used for risk assessment of chemical mixtures; evaluate case studies, discuss challenges and novel tools
Methods to predict biological effects of nanomaterials
Review on assessment of nanomaterials; discussion about advances and unresolved questions