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
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
EFSA updates independence policy
EFSA publishes revised independence policy including new elements to avoid conflicts of interest; NGO remains critical of EFSA’s ties to food industry
FPF comments on proposed US ban of fluorinated plastics
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comments to the US Food and Drug Administration on the food additive petition to remove the authorization of fluorinated polyethylene in food contact materials
US EPA restricts PBT substance PIP (3:1)
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues list prohibiting food contact chemical phenol isopropylated phosphate (3:1) (PIP (3:1)) under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); EPA will ban processing, distribution and release in water of PIP (3:1); currently under assessment in EU for endocrine disrupting as well as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic properties
Bisphenol A in bottles and children’s cups from less regulated markets
International Pollution Elimination Network (IPEN) finds 60% of sampled “BPA-free” plastic bottles and children’s cups from 8 countries contain bisphenol A (BPA); test 98 containers (23 “BPA-free”) from local markets in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania; Sri Lanka’s Environment Ministry says it will investigate
US Senate passes bills to increase recycling accessibility, data
United States Senate unanimously passes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, Recycling and Composting Accountability Act; both receive wide support from industry and environmental groups; must pass House of Representatives to become national policy
Roadmap for evaluation of EU FCM regulation
EU Commission publishes roadmap for evaluation and fitness check of food contact materials regulation 1935/2004; stakeholder feedback accepted until December 26, 2017
CHEM Trust: EU FCM laws need an update
Article discusses regulatory complexity caused by lack of harmonized EU FCM laws, failure to integrate REACH, increase in national regulations to address gaps; suggests considering positive list approach taken under drinking water directive
EFSA evaluates intelligent packaging: time-temperature indicator
EFSA considers time-temperature indicator system safe for use in food contact material, genotoxic potential of ingredient not ruled out