European Commission publishes roadmap, inception impact assessment; initiative aims to require companies to substantiate environmental footprint claims made about their products or services, reduce ‘greenwashing’; open for feedback until August 31, 2020
EFSA working group updates in August through October 2020
Minutes from recent meetings of the EFSA CEP panel and working groups on BPA, FCMs, and phthalates published; groups continue discussions and revisions of draft opinions
EFSA working group updates from March to July 2021
Minutes from recent meetings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel and working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, and phthalates
Fitness check of non-REACH chemical policies
EU Commission publishes results of fitness check for EU’s chemicals policies (excluding REACH), confirms ‘high level of protection’ provided by current legislation, acknowledges implementation challenges
Recent efforts to assess nanomaterials
EU and U.S. projects and collaborations focus on nanotechnology; prioritize joint research areas, develop categorization scheme, review gaps in existing nanotoxicology research, aim to establish criteria for efficient risk assessment
Plastics and climate change
CIEL report highlights plastics’ contribution to climate change, urges global ban on single-use plastics
UK keeps FCM legislation in no-deal Brexit
United Kingdom’s Parliament passes legislation to regulate food contact materials in case no deal is reached with the EU; copies current EU legislation with potential future trade impacts if EU laws further develop
Brand audits identify top polluters
Report by Greenpeace and Break Free From Plastic names 10 global companies whose products appear to be the biggest contributors to plastic pollution worldwide based on findings from beach cleanups and brand audits
NGOs urge more protective EDC strategy in EU
EDC-free Europe coalition of NGOs urges definitive actions to reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors ahead of upcoming debate by Council of EU Environmental Ministers
FPF Workshop 2019: FCM oversight in Denmark
Mette Holm gives overview of approaches to FCM inspection and control by Danish Ministry of Environment and Food; latest monitoring study on PFAS in paper and board FCMs still finds intentional addition of PFAS; Denmark bans PFAS in paper and board FCM from 2020