Researchers from Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) publish two peer-reviewed articles critically reviewing determination and application of maximum doses in toxicity studies; find that recent toxicity studies increasingly using unjustified low maximum doses, call for more clarity in testing guidelines
May 4, 2020
CMR classified substances being added to REACH restriction list
European Commission publishes draft regulation adding substances recently classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR), includes four food contact chemicals; draft open for public consultation until May 25, 2020
May 1, 2020
Nordic Council checks compliance of products sold online
Inspectors from Nordic countries examine 361 products ordered online for compliance with various EU chemicals legislation; find 53% non-compliant, higher rate of non-compliance for products sold by companies outside of EU; lead, short chain chlorinated paraffins, diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) detected most often
May 1, 2020
US FDA defends authorization of perchlorate
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) files for judgment in its favor in ongoing court case with group of non-governmental organizations, argues perchlorate will not enter food supply at dangerous levels through dry food packaging
April 29, 2020
Guidelines on recycled content and recyclability
British Plastics Federation publishes guidelines to help companies incorporate recycled content into their plastic packaging; RECOUP issues updated guidelines for designing plastic packaging for recyclability
April 29, 2020
Outcome of public consultation within EU EDC fitness check
European Commission publishes results of public consultation within fitness check of EU legislation on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); finds that majority of respondents believe EU laws do not protect them from exposure to EDCs, that EDCs have been insufficiently identified across sectors
April 29, 2020
Workshop discusses developments in read-across
Journal article presents summary of presentations and discussions from European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (Ecetoc) workshop; finds new approach methodologies useful for read-across in chemical safety assessments, identifies areas for improvement
April 29, 2020
ACC GlobalChem conference webinar series
American Chemistry Council (ACC) shifts presentations from canceled GlobalChem conference online; series of ten webinars to cover topics such as US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) registration, microplastics, and global chemicals management
April 28, 2020
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
April 28, 2020
Zero Waste Europe webinar on FCMs
Webinar on food contact materials (FCMs) to present on the migration of chemicals and their impacts on human health, discuss improving EU policy framework in the context of the European Green Deal; deliver first results from recent project on phthalates