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EU
January 28, 2026
Directorate General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) publishes study on sustainability of food contact materials (FCMs) in light of planned revision of current EU FCM legislation; identifies seven severe sustainability problems with current FCMs; outlines four policy measures that could address gaps within ongoing EU FCM legislation
Reading time: 5 minutes
November 5, 2025
In 2023, the EU generated a total of 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste; equates to 177.8 kg per person; of which 120.0 kg were recycled; California estimates 8.5 million tonnes of single-use packaging waste in landfills; most waste in EU and California made up of paper and plastic
Reading time: 2 minutes
November 4, 2025
European Parliament adopts final text of ‘one substance, one assessment’ package; three proposals aim to improve and streamline chemical safety assessments across the EU; now needs to be adopted by European Council of Ministers
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 19, 2025
Statement by European reuse sector calls for harmonized reuse symbol for packaging under Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR); includes clear criteria to prevent misuse; European Commission to develop labeling requirements for PPWR by August 2026
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 4, 2025
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) updates PFAS restriction proposal following public consultation; does not include major exceptions or derogations regarding food contact materials; aims to complete scientific evaluation of proposal by the end of 2026; to be submitted to the European Commission in 2027
Reading time: 2 minutes
August 27, 2025
Legal challenge to the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) identification of melamine as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) rejected by General Court of the European Union; Melamine was identified as SVHC in December 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
August 18, 2025
New EU initiative aims to create a single market for waste and secondary raw materials; claims existing regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation ‘cannot unfold their full potential’ without it; public consultation until November 6, 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 13, 2025
The Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL) presented their plans for a revision of the REACH regulation; receives heavy criticism from industry and civil society; still under development and expected to be adopted by the European Commission in Q4 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 30, 2025
During April plenary, European Parliament voted for ‘one substance, one assessment’ package; aims to increase cooperation and reallocate tasks across European agencies involved in chemical legislation and monitoring, create common chemical data platform
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 28, 2025
Regulation amending several EU regulations on plastic food contact material (FCMs) entered into force on March 16, 2025; broadens scope, addresses non-intentionally added substances, and introduces labeling requirements for repeated use plastic articles
Reading time: 3 minutes
