Industry news provider reports on new EU commissioners responsible for duties affecting plastics
EFSA comments on misleading communication of BPA risks
Low health concern associated with BPA aggregate exposure was not acknowledged in communication materials to make them “accessible” to non-specialist audiences, EFSA claims
EC comments on EFSA’s communication of BPA risk assessment
DG SANTE informed CHEM Trust that communication on BPA risk assessment is EFSA’s responsibility, JRC works on EU regulation for non-plastic FCMs
Opinion: Scientists call European Commission’s proposed EDC regulation over-precautionary
Group of scientists calls for maintaining chemical regulation’s status quo; toxicologist and pharmacologist express concern that the forthcoming EDC regulation will not be based on science and erase established risk assessment approaches
Consumers perceive compostable packaging as most sustainable, report says
McKinsey report investigates consumers’ attitudes toward sustainability in food packaging; finds hygiene & food safety, as well as shelf life are most important aspects to consumers; consumers think compostable and plant-based packaging is the most sustainable, metal containers among least sustainable
Analysis of chemically non-compliant products
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
ChemSec’s advice to speed up SVHC listing
NGO International Chemical Secretariat urges European Chemicals Agency’s director to encourage ‘better use’ of precautionary principle in order to speed up SVHC identification, resist industry pressure
Canada identifies four parabens for toxic substances list
Government publishes draft screening assessment of 7 parabens, identifies 4 to present danger to human health or environment at current levels of exposure; proposed risk management published; findings open for public comment until May 13, 2020
Safety assessment of biodegradable polymer
EFSA deems poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate) safe for use in food contact materials for dry or solid food
REACH and CLP progress report
ECHA publishes second report on the operation of the REACH and CLP regulation; knowledge of chemical properties increased; companies still need to provide more and better data