European Chemicals Agency reminds companies of legal obligation to review and update REACH registration dossiers ‘when new information becomes available’
‘Essential use’ concept to aid PFAS phase-out
Scientists propose ‘essential use’ concept to accelerate phase-out of PFAS; trade association highlights ‘flawed assumptions’
Scientists warn over-production of chemicals altering planetary systems
Peer-reviewed study finds pollution from synthetic chemical production and plastics is now altering planetary systems vital to human survival; recommends implementing cap on chemical production and release similar to greenhouse gases
A novel concept for improved safety assessment of FCMs guided by public health concerns
Over 20 scientists present a vision for safer food contact materials (FCMs); propose new approach to test all chemicals that migrate from final product for their contribution to highly prevalent chronic diseases
EFSA’s activities on emerging risks
European Food Safety Authority publishes report summarizing activities related to emerging risk identification in 2018; considers food contact additives and related challenges of substituting materials
EDCs in plastics cost the US $250 billion in healthcare annually
Scientists calculate US health care costs caused by a well-studied subset of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics; estimate exposure cost $250 billion in 2018, equivalent to 1.22% of Gross Domestic Product; recommend addressing chemicals of concern in global plastics treaty to reduce disease burden and costs
UK plastics pact
UK WRAP alliance and Ellen MacArthur Foundation launch UK Plastics Pact uniting national stakeholders; platform part of international initiative The Plastics Pact aiming to accelerate transition towards new plastics economy
EDC journal editors call upon scientists to cooperate in EDC research and policy
Editors-in-Chief publish response to Dietrich et al., European EDC policy to be based on state-of-the-science, not outdated assumptions
EU to ban landfill for recyclables
European Commission announces a ban of landfills for recyclables by 2025; industry comments
McDonald’s to trial new packaging
Two Canadian concept restaurant locations to trial new packaging including fully re-pulpable cups, fiber lids, wooden cutlery, paper straws; items could be rolled out widely in the future