Governments publish positive lists of additives allowed in food contact materials (FCM); adoption would bring national regulations in line with Mercosur Resolution GMC 39/19
News Article
July 30, 2020
News Article
April 4, 2022
Reports identify there is still much to do to reach a circular economy
In the first quarter of 2022 Circle Economy, the OECD, and Zero Waste Europe publish reports investigating various aspects of material value chains and share insights to ‘close the circularity gap’ and ‘bend the plastics curve’; evaluate material usage globally, plastics in OECD nations and globally, and PET in Europe
News Article
January 28, 2019
EU considers new calculation rules
New calculation methodology for recycling under discussion by EU; could impact actual recycling rates in meeting set 2030 targets
News Article
September 9, 2019
India to ban six types of single-use plastic articles
National ban on plastic bags, bottles, plates, straws, sachets, cups to come into effect October 2, 2019; seen as first big step to meet plastic reduction targets by 2022
News Article
April 6, 2016
Grouping of nanoforms
ECHA, JRC and RIVM release guidance report on nanoform grouping in harzard assessment; recommend minimizing toxicological testing
News Article
January 23, 2023
Thailand introduces standard for fluoropolymer coated cooking utensils
Thai Industrial Standards Institute publishes updated standard for metal, fluoropolymer coated utensils in contact with hot foods; standard borrows from EU overall migration test methods for plastic materials and ISO standards; comes into force April 2, 2023; Thai ministries introduce tax incentive to reduce fossil-plastic use
News Article
February 11, 2013
BPA causes abnormal breast growth in mice
Study connects prenatal low dose exposure to BPA with abnormal breast growth in mice
News Article
June 4, 2021
Studies investigate plastic packaging use, EDCs, and reproductive health
Recent research articles look at relationship between endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from packaging and human reproductive health; find no relationship between a woman’s reported use of plastic food packaging and pregnancy duration and birthweight; identify potential non-monotonic dose-response relationship between di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) exposure and woman’s reported infertility
News Article
March 1, 2024
Linking chemical exposures to birth outcomes: Insights from the ECHO Program
Two studies use Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program in the US to investigate chemical exposures and birth outcomes; several phthalates associated with decreased gestational age, increased risk of preterm birth; ~56,595 preventable preterm births and $3.84 billion healthcare costs in US annually
News Article
January 5, 2017
Occupational exposure to BPA
Scientists measure urinary BPA in workers from industries that use or manufacture BPA; find on average 70 times higher levels compared to general public
