Independent testing and certification organization announces new voluntary standard for recycled materials in products with minimum 20% recycled content; standard applies to entire supply chain, inspects social, environmental, chemical practices, restricts use of SVHCs, other substances of environmental and health concern
October 9, 2019
Edible label to reduce food packaging
Project with the University of Sunderland develops edible label that can be applied directly to foods and provides scannable code for users to access further information; aims to reduce need for additional packaging
October 8, 2019
Calls for reduced production instead of increased recycling
Greenpeace calls for reduction of single-use plastic production rather than promotion of recycling solutions; Plastic Pollution Coalition argues for promoting reuse rather than recycling; U.S. lawmakers discuss new bills under Save Our Seas Act, receive similar calls from stakeholders to favor reduction
October 7, 2019
Study finds microplastics harm immune cells
Researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht observe that immune cell death rate triples after contact with microplastics; presents results at Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam on October 3, 2019
October 7, 2019
ExeMPLaR webinar series on plastics
University of Exeter research hub to host monthly webinars focusing on aspects within Regional Plastics project; first webinar takes place October 8, 2019; all events to be recorded and made available to registered members
October 7, 2019
7th International Symposium on Food Packaging
ILSI Europe to host conference on November 18-20, 2020 in Barcelona; topics include advancement in analytical techniques, toxicity prediction, risk assessment, FCMs in circular economy; abstracts now being accepted for presentations
October 4, 2019
Registration of polymers in REACH
NGO ChemSec argues that registering polymers under REACH is ‘overdue’; registration would provide vital information about polymers’ properties and use
October 4, 2019
Coca-Cola bottle made of marine plastics
Company presents trial bottle with 25% of ‘recovered and recycled marine plastics’ content
October 4, 2019
7th meeting of EFSA’s FCM Network
7th meeting of EFSA’s Food Contact Materials Network takes place on November 6-7, 2019, in Parma, Italy; focus on plastics and microplastics, assessment of mixtures, prioritization strategies for non-harmonized FCMs
October 3, 2019
U.S. authorities’, CHEM Trust’s recent efforts on PFAS
U.S. EPA submits proposals for significant new use rule for long-chain PFAS, additions to toxics release inventory; Connecticut PFAS task force publishes draft action plan, proposes to evaluate requiring disclosure of PFAS in products; CHEM Trust publishes briefing on PFAS calling for urgent action on the entire family of chemicals