Journalist reviews slow U.S. process of regulating antibacterial agent in consumer products and packaging
EDCs: Sweden vs. European Commission
Sweden’s case against the European Commission for delaying the setting of EDC criteria: Hearing at European Court of Justice in Luxembourg
Civil society urges European Commission to phase out PVC in food packaging
Zero Waste Europe publishes brief highlighting problems with polyvinyl chloride in food contact applications; advocates for restrictions due to health concerns from additives and microplastics; another report supports ECHA’s findings on significant risks associated with PVC; European civil society organizations petition phase out strategies
Four phthalates recognized as hormone disrupting for humans
EU REACH Committee classifies DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP as substances of very high concern due to their endocrine disrupting effects in humans
CLARITY-BPA study finds clear non-monotonicity
Researchers publish study identifying non-monotonic effects on mammary gland development across all ages of rats; finds causal relationship between BPA exposure and effects observed, results counter earlier statements that effects are rather due to random events
EC’s EDC criteria delayed
European Commission delays criteria setting for EDCs, EDC-Free Europe campaign demands action on EDCs
FDA denies citizen petition to ban phthalates in food contact materials
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejects two citizen petitions from 2016 asking it to remove 28 phthalates from food contact use for safety reasons; grants industry petition to remove 23 phthalates due to abandonment; FDA issues request for information on use and safety information of remaining phthalates; comments accepted until July 19, 2022
Plastics BAN list
Four NGOs launch the Plastics BAN (Better Alternatives Now) List; identify the most harmful plastic products on the market and suggest readily-available alternatives; California voters approve plastic bags ban
BPA classified as reproductive toxicant
European Commission’s REACH Committee adopts draft regulation classifying BPA as ‘toxic for reproduction’
Greenpeace report criticizes plastic-to-fuel technologies
Organization reviews current chemical recycling projects, finds less than half are plastic-to-plastic recycling, none likely to become viable; criticizes labeling waste- and plastic-to-fuel technologies as ‘chemical recycling’, describes it as misleading for governments, investors and the public