11th BioDetectors conference addresses use of cell-based bioassays in food contact material safety analysis
Report on difficult-to-recycle materials
ASTRX (Applying Systems Thinking to Recycling) project publishes report reviewing efficiency of packaging materials through recycling processes; highlights flexible films and shrink sleeves as problematic, calls for increased purchasing of recycled content to boost market demand
Safety of DEHCH
EFSA assesses safety of bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (DEHCH) for use as plasticizer in PVC; concluded to present no safety concerns; uncertainty remains about bioaccumulation potential in humans
EEB challenges ECHA to 10 REACH improvements
European Environmental Bureau recommends tasks for ECHA to increase transparency, enable precautionary principle, allocate burden of proof onto industry, promote substitution; plans to evaluate and communicate on progress made in one year
Survey: packaging importance grows for brands
L.E.K Consulting conducts survey among 250 brand owners of packaged consumer goods; 75% expect to increase spending on packaging this year, expand focus on biodegradable, recycled, or compostable materials
Ingestion of phthalates may also be linked to asthma
Irrespective of the route of exposure, a high body burden of phthalates was found to be associated with asthma in Norwegian children
France updates action plan on EDCs
National draft action plan on EDCs open for consultation; Health and Environmental Alliance submits comments, welcomes initiative
France vs. EU: Ban on BPA in FCMs
Internal briefing document reveals EU Commission’s past intention for legal action against France’s ban of bisphenol A in food contact materials; Commission-internal disagreements put case on hold
EU Commission presents EDC strategy
European Commission publishes communication outlining the EU’s strategic approach to managing endocrine disruptors; NGOs criticize lack of specific actions and missing timeline to reduce EDC exposure
Study finds lack of data on PFAEs
Report from Nordic Council of Ministers reviews public information available for per- and polyfluoroalkylether substances (PFAEs); identifies 394 substances, find more than half do not exist in public chemical databases; limited data on identity, production, and uses