In the first quarter of 2022 Circle Economy, the OECD, and Zero Waste Europe publish reports investigating various aspects of material value chains and share insights to ‘close the circularity gap’ and ‘bend the plastics curve’; evaluate material usage globally, plastics in OECD nations and globally, and PET in Europe
Modeling chemicals in the human body
New strategy by EU Lab for Alternatives to Animal Testing focuses on computational models for chemical behavior in humans; supports steps to phase out animal testing
Opinion: New EDC policy in Europe is scientifically justified
Prominent EDC scientists defend EU policy developments for endocrine disrupters; response to earlier letter by toxicologists
New U.S. organization for alternatives assessment
Association for the Advancement of Alternatives Assessment established in the U.S., aims to ‘enhance the science of alternatives assessment, advance informed substitution’ of hazardous chemicals
Circular economy: Stronger policies needed
European Environment Agency assesses resource efficiency and commitment to circular economy in European countries
FDA colloquium on in silico methods
Society of Toxicology and U.S. Food and Drug Administration host event on in silico testing methods; presentations focus on drivers for acceptance and treatment of uncertainties
US EPA extends PV29 TSCA evaluation comment period
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) extends comment period for draft risk evaluation of C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29) under its TSCA regulation; new draft adds previously confidential business data, solubility testing data, workplace air monitoring; concludes 11 of 14 conditions of use for PV29 pose unreasonable risk; toxicity debate ongoing also in Europe; EPA extends comment period for the revised draft until December 19, 2020
Asian governments aim to expand recycled content in plastic FCMs
Overview article examines recent commitments by South Korea, China, and Thailand to launch or expand approval of recycled plastics for use in food contact materials (FCMs); lack of regional definition of ‘food grade plastic’ seen as stumbling block to many local recyclers in meeting growing demand
EDCs: Hazard vs. risk
Health & Environment article addresses challenge of effectively regulating endocrine disrupters; explains hazard-based and risk-based approaches
Symposium on circular economy
University of Exeter and Ellen MacArthur Foundation host 2-day symposium on circular economy research and practice, discuss future challenges and innovation