Ministry of Food and Drug Safety publishes notice containing revisions to national food contact material regulations; adds polyketones as additional raw materials, groups synthetic resins into categories, issues updated standards on recycled synthetic resins including for polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
November 26, 2021
EU delays decisions on polymer registration, EDCs, and microplastics
Mandates for CARACAL subgroups on polymer registration and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) set to be extended by up to two years; proposed legislation on microplastics now seemingly delayed by one year
November 25, 2021
US lawmakers introduce new bill to ban PFAS in food packaging
Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS act would disallow the sale of any food packaging intentionally containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) beginning on January 1, 2024; this most recent attempt by US lawmakers to address PFAS on a national level would now need to be approved by both the US House and Senate chambers
November 24, 2021
Scotland set to ban single-use plastic food packaging items
Government to end sale of all polystyrene food containers and their lids as well as plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers starting June 1, 2022; concerns exist over harmonized enforcement across the UK
November 23, 2021
Plastics Global Commitment progress report 2021
Finds global virgin plastic production for signatory brands and retailers has likely peaked; progress so far driven by recycling, but warns recycling is not the solution and elimination of single-use packaging urgently needed; separate reports find US polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling rates decreasing and Australia not meeting plastic recycling targets
November 23, 2021
Canada mandates reporting on use of BPA and alternatives
Department of the Environment now requiring reporting from all manufacturers, importers, and users of bisphenol A (BPA) and over 180 alternative substances during the year 2019; includes commercial status, downstream uses; March 16, 2022 set as deadline for data submission
November 22, 2021
Study finds sex-specific impacts of prenatal phthalate exposure
Taiwanese cohort study examines prenatal phthalate exposure effects on infant birth weight and gestational age; reports higher impact on male neonates
November 22, 2021
Plastic Health Summit 2021: Urgent need for action on plastics
Scientists, activists, industry and policy makers share findings and future needs that address the plastic pollution crisis; recycling plastics is ineffective strategy; concern over possible health effects of micro- and nanoplastics
November 18, 2021
Studies investigate how to improve plastic recycling
Researchers analyze options to increase recycling rates; laboratory study reports using untargeted migrants analysis as a feasible tool to discern recycled from virgin polyethylene (PE); stakeholder analysis finds equal involvement of all relevant actors needed to improve PET plastic recycling
