11th European Bioplastics conference in Berlin, Germany discusses the role of bioplastics in the circular economy, presents new food packaging applications
WHO report on circular economy and health
World Health Organization publishes report on opportunities and risks to human health posed by circular economy; chemicals in food packaging identified as one ‘source of potential health implications’
FPF article on chemical risk assessment
FPF publishes new context article explaining chemical risk assessment, hazard identification, dose response assessment, exposure assessment and hazard characterization
Recommendations on implementation of EPR
Upstream publishes overview article discussing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, sees recent improvements; views EPR as foundation of circular economy and calls for EPR policies to also focus on developing new reuse/refill systems, include targets for litter prevention and mitigation; advocates for binding reuse targets similar to EU’s recycling targets to create conditions for businesses to safely invest in upscaling reuse
The role of chemicals in the circular economy
Article explains principles of circular economy and highlights problem of increased chemical exposure
Strategies for PET in the circular economy
Petcore Europe’s annual conference discusses perspectives and strategies for PET in the circular economy; conference proceedings now available
"Future Food Initiative" launched
Swiss companies partner with local universities on research program aimed to provide affordable nutrition, accelerate healthy foods, search for sustainable packaging
Survey on willingness to pay to avoid health impacts
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to improve methodologies for assessing costs and benefits of chemicals management; planned study to include surveys on consumers’ willingness to pay to avoid adverse health and environmental impacts
Workshop discusses developments in read-across
Journal article presents summary of presentations and discussions from European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (Ecetoc) workshop; finds new approach methodologies useful for read-across in chemical safety assessments, identifies areas for improvement
Chemical migration from silicone baking materials
European Consumer Organization (BEUC) finds that chemicals of concern migrate from silicone baking molds sold in Europe, including three siloxanes classified as SVHCs; 23% of 44 products tested release chemical constituents in high (>30 mg/kg) or increasing amounts over time; BEUC calls for stricter EU rules for silicone food contact materials