Plastics Recyclers Europe publishes paper identifying key barriers to increasing recycling of flexible polyethylene films, calls for harmonized collection and sorting as well as design for recycling guidelines
Canadian identification of low hazard substances
Health Canada publishes updated document to support identification of substances with low human health hazard potential; application demonstrated through subset of 14 substances
IARC: melamine possibly carcinogenic
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies melamine as possibly carcinogenic to humans
EU considers new calculation rules
New calculation methodology for recycling under discussion by EU; could impact actual recycling rates in meeting set 2030 targets
Thai consultation defining food contact materials
National authorities close public consultation on the matter; new definition would create need for national FCM standard; timeline for resulting regulatory amendments still unannounced
FDA still to address ortho-phthalates
NGO calls on U.S Food and Drug Administration to rule on three outstanding petitions regarding the use of ortho-phthalates in contact with food
Digital platform tracks recycled plastics
Industry association launches online platform to support plastic converter industry in tracking use of recycled polymers in products; aims to expand to more EU languages, add additional modules
Turkey to adopt new regulation on plastic FCMs
Turkey notifies World Trade Organization of new regulation on plastic materials and articles in contact with food; comments accepted until January 14, 2019
SIN List update includes 20 food contact chemicals
ChemSec announces major update to Substitute It Now (SIN) List, adds 47 new chemicals including including persistent, mobile, and toxic substances, carbon nanotubes; announcement event brings together stakeholders to discuss clean circular economy
Study calls for identical management of EDCs
Study commissioned by EU Parliament recommends identical management of endocrine disrupting chemicals across sectors within the EU, calls for total prevention of human exposure, prioritizes six key research areas