Topics
regulation
July 30, 2025
Scientists outline why using a hazard-based approach would be an efficient, simple, and fit-for-purpose method for identifying plastic chemicals of concern under the forthcoming Global Plastics Treaty; highlight that a risk-based approach would result in costly delays, complications, and uncertainties in identifying chemicals of concern, due to the large number of chemicals, the variable composition of plastics between applications, and the lack of transparency and analytical standards
Reading time: 4 minutes
July 17, 2025
Changes in the deposit return schemes in Ireland, Moldova, and Romania; modification in single-use plastic fees in Germany and the Netherlands; food contact material regulation updates in Denmark and Switzerland; and other news from the Nordic Council of Ministers, Iceland, Portugal, and the UK
Topics: Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Moldova, Netherlands, Portugal, regulation, Romania, single-use plastics, Switzerland, UK
Reading time: 7 minutes
July 11, 2025
About one third of US states have taken regulatory action pertaining to food contact chemicals, materials, and/or articles in 2025; predominantly (i) phase-outs of PFAS in packaging and cookware, (ii) bans on polystyrene foam and other single-use food-service plastics, and (iii) extended-producer-responsibility (EPR) bills covering packaging
Reading time: 9 minutes
July 11, 2025
Environmental Defense Fund outlines reasons for the presence of unreviewed and unsafe ingredients in US food products; recommends Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke unsafe ingredient designations, enforce use of publicly available safety data, require strengthened safety assessments, and data revision to better protect the health of American consumers
Topics: food, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 10, 2025
Scientists publish systematically compiled overview on the properties, uses, and hazards of plastic chemicals; more than ¼ of the 16,325 plastic chemicals are of concern; recommend safer chemicals, transparency, and chemically simpler plastics to arrive at safer and more sustainable plastics
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 4, 2025
Switzerland bans bisphenol A (BPA), other harmful bisphenols and harmful bisphenol derivatives in food contact materials; some bisphenols including bisphenol M and P not covered by current definition; phase-out should be finalized by January 2029
Reading time: 2 minutes
July 3, 2025
Swiss Federal Council amending the nation’s Ordinance on the Prevention and Disposal of Waste, and replacing the Ordinance on Beverage Packaging with a new Regulation on Packaging that covers all packaging formats and materials; public consultation until October 16, 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 23, 2025
South American trade bloc MERCOSUR amends several food contact related regulations; Chile continues to develop its REACH-like chemicals management system, hazardous substances for non-industrial use need to be registered by August 30, 2025; Peru publishes draft regulation on recyclable and biodegradable plastic tableware
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 19, 2025
Scientists point out that current chemicals management approach, centered around industry, is not fully protective of human and environmental health; introduce the concept of shaping consumer behavior as a complementary approach; explain the novelty of the concept, and how to implement it to arrive at safe and sustainable chemical consumption
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 12, 2025
India accepting comments on revised guide of suitability of plastics for packaging guide, approves recycled PET for food contact; Indonesia mandating new paper and paperboard standard, updated FCM regulation published; new law in Singapore streamlines FCM regulations; Thailand plans to regulate food contact paper, bans plastic waste imports
Reading time: 3 minutes
