Topics
regulation
October 29, 2020
Stefan Merkel presents recent work of German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR); Lisa Zimmermann discusses bioassay-based toxicity assessment of conventional plastics, bioplastics, and plant-based materials; Andrew Turner emphasizes presence of toxic brominated flame retardants in recycled plastics, uses of hazardous heavy metals in colored decorations applied to glass articles
Reading time: 6 minutes
October 14, 2020
European Commission (EC) publishes Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; plans to ban PFAS for all non-essential uses, move towards grouping approach for regulation of all chemicals; specific actions for food contact materials (FCM) include extending generic approach to risk management, identifying endocrine disruptors, considering cumulative effects of chemical mixtures
Reading time: 4 minutes
October 9, 2020
Restriction intention submitted to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA); aims to limit bisphenol A (BPA) and structurally similar bisphenols to maximum concentration of 0.02% by weight as additives, residues, and in mixtures; stakeholders invited to submit relevant information; proposal to be finalized in October 2021
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 8, 2020
Government plans to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030; set to ban six categories of single-use plastic items, introduce minimum recycled content requirements, extend producer responsibility, legally classify plastic items as toxic; proposed plan open for public comment until December 9, 2020
Topics: plastics, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
October 8, 2020
State’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) calls for information related to exposure and hazard identification; includes bisphenol S, PFAS, parabens, titanium dioxide nanoparticles; comments accepted until December 10, 2020
Topics: regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
October 7, 2020
German consumer organization publishes position paper; identifies fragmentations, holes in current EU regulations on food contact materials (FCMs); critical of limited supply chain transparency, enforcement of chemicals in FCMs by authorities; calls for banning harmful substances, introducing strict positive lists; survey of 1,000 consumers finds most are not well informed about food packaging labelling, proper use
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 28, 2020
Legislature for US state of New Jersey passes bill banning both plastic and paper single-use bags, polystyrene foam food containers; plastic straw use to be limited; bill will be signed by governor and enter into force 18 months later
Reading time: 2 minutes
September 11, 2020
National Health Commission opens public consultation on 16 food safety standards; sets stricter limits for metals used in food contact materials (FCMs), removes use of 4% acetic acid as food simulant; comments accepted until October 20, 2020
Topics: metals, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
September 8, 2020
Standard sets list of allowed additives and monomers in line with previous EU regulation, bans use of recycled materials; open for comment until November 2, 2020
Topics: plastics, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
September 7, 2020
European Commission publishes final text further amending Regulation 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials and articles; includes introduction of approved use of new substances, updates specific migration limits, allows for migration testing of entire food processing equipment
Topics: plastics, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
