Single-Use Material Decelerator (SUM’D) releases new version of food packaging assessment tool UP Scorecard; featuring expanded regionalization capabilities including Europe, functionality to add new customized containers, a simplified scoring system, and a streamlined presentation of results
Proposed CLP revision aims to increase transparency of chemical supply chain
European Commission publishes proposal to amend Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP); aims to define identification criteria of chemical health hazards, communication of those hazards, and enforcement
National Academy of Sciences PFAS workshop
Two-day workshop on October 26th and 27th, 2019 in Washington, D.C. to explore human exposure to PFAS as well as control and prevention options; registration free of charge and open to the public; event will be live streamed and recorded for later viewing
EU notifies C9-C14 PFCA restriction to WTO
European Union notifies World Trade Organization of proposed amendment to REACH Restriction List (Annex XVII) to restrict manufacturing, use, placing on the market and import of C9-C14 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), their salts and related substances within the EU; long-chain PFCAs can be present in food contact materials as impurities but also degradation products of long-chain fluorotelomers
EC’s roadmap on sustainable products initiative
European Commission (EC) opens public consultation on new sustainable products initiative; aims to expand scope of Ecodesign Directive across product types, create sustainability principles, requirements to link climate and environmental impacts to resource and energy use
Plastic recycling in EU: FPF concerned about draft regulation
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) comments on EU draft regulation for recycled plastics FCMs; exemptions for the risk assessment of “incidental contamination” and for pre-market assessment of novel technologies likely to increase hazardous chemical exposure for the general public
Chinese safety authority approves three polymers for FCMs, with caveats
China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment seeks comments from industry on restricting the use of three polymer paints and coatings in food contact materials for infants and children
New toolbox to model chemical migration from food contact materials
Scientists evaluate global performance of new model to predict a chemical’s concentration in food in contact with food packaging; integrated model includes uncertainty analysis and can be used for regulatory purposes
California governor vetoes recycled content bill
Bill AB-792 would have increased the required recycled content of containers in the state to reach 50% by 2030; governor cites concerns about amendments allowing manufacturers to appeal requirement if target not met
Berkeley restricts single-use plastic
City of Berkeley in U.S to introduce ban on use of non-compostable foodware items in 2022; aim to force shift from plastic to compostable food containers, reduce quantity of single-use items