EU Commission publishes latest version of revised criteria to identify endocrine disruptors; NGOs and industry still dissatisfied with proposed criteria; next expert meeting, and possible vote, to be held February 28, 2017
EDC criteria: Latest revision and next meeting
Science-based proposals for reducing packaging and increasing recycling rates
Researchers investigate packaging use and recycling as well as improvement options; find globalization and time-deprived society to majorly drive food packaging use and recommend economic degrowth to reduce use; report 11% of Spain’s plastic waste efficiently recycled, well below official reports from waste management companies; emphasize need to change material and packaging design to reach circularity targets
Studies investigate circular economy barriers, consumer perceptions
Recent set of articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals review current barriers in flexible plastics to achieving circular economy, recommends regulatory policies be tailored to individual steps in supply chain; consumers easily confused by plastic waste management system, recycling processes, biodegradability claims; researchers instead propose food system shift towards decentralization, shorter supply chains
Winning at sustainable food packaging: How to eliminate toxic chemicals to drive a safer future and a stronger business
REACH as possible innovation driver
ChemSec declares combination of hazard- and risk-based elements as world-leading regulatory example, criticizes halt in addressing substances from the Candidate List
A vision for safer food contact materials: Public health concerns as drivers for improved testing
From scientific evidence to policy
Journal PLOS Biology publishes special edition on the effects of chemical exposures on public and environmental health; addresses gap between scientific understanding and regulation of chemicals
Regulators exposed due to EDC criteria delay
Czech chemical company fights ECHA’s finding that DEHP should be identified as an endocrine disruptor in the environment
Temporary approach for migration of biocides
EU competent authorities for biocides decide on interim approach to set residue and migration limits for active substances in food-related products and food contact materials