Kenya most recent country to launch a plastics pact within the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s global initiative; aims to by 2030 achieve 100% reusable or recyclable plastic packaging with 40% effectively recycled and a minimum of 15% recycled content
Health Canada guide on glazed ceramics, glassware regulations
Government agency Health Canada publishes updated industry guide providing relevant information, examples, migration limits, designs for warnings labels; emphasizes that undecorated glassware and ceramics out of scope of regulation
EC gathering experts for chemicals strategy
European Commission (EC) announces creation of expert group to support implementation of EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; to be composed of up to 32 members from civil society, scientific, industry, and intergovernmental organizations; applications accepted until March 18, 2021
ECHA adds organotin chemicals as SVHCs
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) includes dioctyltin dilaurate (CAS 3648-18-8) and several other organotin compounds to candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHCs)
Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act reintroduced in US
Updated version of bill continues to plan for nationwide extended producer responsibility scheme, minimum recycled content limits, deposit system, single-use plastic bans; new focus on promoting refillable containers, establishing three-year stop on construction of new plastic and chemical recycling facilities
EC seeks feedback on CLP Regulation Roadmap
European Commission (EC) releases roadmap for revision of the Regulation on hazard classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP); aims to outline which regulatory and non-regulatory changes to consider in cost-benefit analyses during forthcoming impact assessment; wants to explore opportunities to use new technological tools; accepting public comment until June 1, 2021
Campaign detects mineral oil hydrocarbons in European food products
Foodwatch publishes test results of 152 food products sampled across Europe; finds mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in 12% of them at levels up to 82 mg/kg food; petition calls for EU leaders to recall contaminated products and implement a zero-tolerance rule prohibiting any detectable level in all foods
German printing ink ordinance comes into force
Federal Council adopts 21st Amendment to Consumer Goods Ordinance regulating printing inks and varnishes that directly or indirectly contact food; includes updated positive list of monomers, additives, colorants, solvents, and photoinitiators; phase in period set until the end of December 2026
Organizations sue US FDA over failure to react on phthalates in FCMs
Earthjustice files case in a federal court on behalf of eight civil society organizations; calls on US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come to a final decision on a petition filed in 2016 within 60 days; petition argues safe use of phthalates can no longer be proven and calls for a ban in all food contact materials (FCMs)
NGOs request clarification on nanometal biocides in products
Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) with 12 other NGOs publish an open letter to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) , request clarification on regulation and risk management of products treated with nanosilver, zinc oxide, copper biocides; antimicrobial resistance, human health effects unclear