Topics
regulation
February 24, 2021
National Health Commission announces approval of two additives, three additives with expanded scope, one new food contact resin
Reading time: 1 minute
February 24, 2021
Department of Ecology for the US state of Washington publishes alternatives assessment for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging, identifies alternatives for four packaging types; restrictions will come into force early 2023; working draft criteria defining “safer” and “feasible and available” for alternative assessments released for public comment
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 23, 2021
Maine Department of Environmental Protection publishes list of ten food contact chemicals (FCCs) of high concern, follows state’s Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging legislation; includes bisphenols, parabens, benzophenone, 4-octyl phenol, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, toluene, styrene, benzene methylenedianiline, nonylphenol; open for comments until March 10, 2021
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 19, 2021
US state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control proposes regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as single class under Safer Consumer Products Framework, approach based on environmental persistence; could help other regulatory agencies, be applied to other complex compound classes such as microplastics
Topics: PFAS, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
February 19, 2021
Bills proposed in state legislatures include varied recycled content and recovery requirements for different packaging types, follow California’s adopted requirement for 50% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
February 17, 2021
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) study analyzes costs and benefits of REACH restrictions proposed during 2016-2020; finds public health benefits of €2.1 billion per year outweigh costs of €0.5 billion per year; restrictions protect over seven million EU citizens from cancers, sexual development disorders, asthma, skin allergies; prevents annual release of 100 000 tons of polluting chemicals
Reading time: 1 minute
February 9, 2021
Safer States releases analysis on anticipated US toxic chemical regulation; 27 states considering policies across more than 180 bills, primary focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); 11 states could eliminate PFAS from food packaging
Reading time: 1 minute
February 4, 2021
European Commission presents plan aimed to better prevent and treat cancer; includes focus on reducing exposure to hazardous substances, links to Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; Health and Environment Alliance calls on Commission to use the plan in supporting revision of outdated EU food contact material regulations
Reading time: 1 minute
February 4, 2021
Scientific Committee’s Scientific Opinion fails to deliver on European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) commitment to scientific excellence and transparency; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) sends open letter to EFSA’s leadership urging them to address severe shortcomings in content and process; adequate scientific appraisal of non-monotonic dose response (NMDR) is critical for chemical risk assessment that protects public health
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 2, 2021
Ministry of Environment and Forestry releases new draft on extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations; would require mechanism to control banned or dangerous substances in products; applies to range of products including plastics, rubber, aluminum, glass, paper and carton
Reading time: 1 minute
