European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) analyzes European RAPEX database on non-food products, finds 92% of tested and non-compliant REACH chemicals found in products were imported from outside of Europe; calls for improved enforcement and tools
Landmark ruling on REACH registration process
ECHA board of appeal decides that agency has failed to sufficiently check the completeness of a substance dossier before handing out a registration number
Scientists comment on proposed polymer registration criteria
International Panel on Chemical Pollution (IPCP) publishes joint statement from scientists critiquing European Commission’s (EC) draft guidelines for polymer registration under REACH; statement asks for more inclusive criteria for polymers requiring registration (PRR), consideration of micro- and nano-plastic hazards; statement open for signatures
EU authorization of PET recycling for FCMs coming soon
Euractiv article discusses imminent authorization of plastic recycling processes for food contact by EU Commission; concerns about chemical contamination and migration remain; adoption foreseen by end of 2018
Epidemiology of mixtures: Xenoestrogens and breast cancer
Scientists find strong association between breast cancer risk and total burden of xenoestrogens; in contrast, individual compounds show only weak associations, if any
BfR: 17th Meeting on contaminants in food chain
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes meeting minutes of its commission for contaminants in the food chain; discusses PFASs and mineral oil hydrocarbons
Estimating non-dietary exposure to chemicals
EFSA report summarizes estimation methods for non-dietary exposure to chemicals from consumer products and the environment, provides examples for BPA
Banned phthalates replaced by worrisome alternatives
New study finds reduction of exposure to banned phthalate, increase in exposure to other phthalates
Opinion: FDA fails to ensure food safety
Scientific perspectives article discusses current gaps in assessment and regulation of chemicals in food by U.S. FDA, illustrates problems with perchlorate example, calls for immediate action to protect child health
Simplified FCM regulation wanted
FCM experts and stakeholders gather in EU Member State Luxembourg to discuss innovation, regulatory requirements, risk assessment, and enforcement of food contact materials regulation; call for harmonized approaches and collaboration