Changing Markets Foundation and Break Free From Plastic investigate plastic pollution related actions made by 74 of the largest European supermarkets; Total average score of retailers was just 13/100, only Aldi UK and Aldi Ireland scored above 60; over 80% of companies had no information on total plastic use which “casts doubt” over plastic reduction pledges because there is no baseline data
EU Commission restricts four phthalates
EU Commission adopts decision to restrict DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP in consumer products on EU market; food contact materials not covered
Microplastics in bottled water
New study finds microplastic particles in popular bottled water brands, detects on average 10 larger-sized microplastic particles and over 300 smaller-sized, likely also plastic particles per liter; WHO to launch review of health risks
Canada identifies four parabens for toxic substances list
Government publishes draft screening assessment of 7 parabens, identifies 4 to present danger to human health or environment at current levels of exposure; proposed risk management published; findings open for public comment until May 13, 2020
EPA announces 10 chemicals under evaluation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes first list of chemicals to be assessed under the modernized Toxic Substances Control Act; 8 of 10 chemicals have history of use in food contact materials
SIN List more relevant than Candidate List
International Chemical Secretariat states that SIN List is ‘more relevant’ than REACH Candidate List for companies looking to identify chemicals to substitute; exposes ECHA’s insufficient focus on ‘non-registered’ substances, lack of progress on ‘already tackled’ substances
COVID-19 challenging EPR and single-use legislation
Pandemic causing delays in advancing extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation across US states; increased demand for single-use packaging and plastic bags in Thailand hinders earlier efforts
EU Commission’s draft regulation on transparency in risk assessment
EU Commission proposes regulation to improve transparency and sustainability in risk assessment of food safety in the EU; feedback accepted until June 8, 2018
EFSA working group updates: September 2019
Minutes from recent meetings of the EFSA working groups on BPS, BPA, FCMs, phthalates, and recycling plastic available
EFSA CEP Panel updates from November 2021 to April 2022
Minutes available from recent meetings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP Panel) working groups on food contact materials (FCMs), bisphenol A (BPA), recycling plastics, phthalates, and extraction solvents