Environment Committee of EU Parliament rejects EU Commission’s proposal to allow up to 2% lead by weight in recycled polyvinylchloride (PVC); see increased levels as unsafe and unnecessary given available PVC alternatives, argue recycling should not justify continued use of hazardous substances
Report: European supermarkets falling short on packaging commitments
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
Report summarizes US role in marine plastic pollution
US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine publishes report outlining US contribution and response to global ocean plastic waste; identifies data gaps and recommendations for US policy action across the supply chain; says US should ‘substantially’ reduce waste generation
EU Enforcement Action Plan on bamboo additives in plastic FCMs
European Commission and EU Member States agree to launch an EU Enforcement Action Plan on bamboo powder-containing plastic food contact materials (FCMs) to ensure that bamboo and other illegal plant-based additives are not marketed in the EU
Danish testing of printed paper packaging
Danish Consumer Council tests for UV filters and primary aromatic amines (PAAs) in colorful paper food contact articles, finds PAAs above recommended levels
EU Member States adopt EDC criteria
EU Member States vote in favor of European Commission-proposed criteria to identify endocrine disruptors in the field of plant protection products; both industry and NGOs view adopted criteria as ‘flawed,’ call on European Parliament to veto the proposal
Perfluorinated compounds linked to reproductive health outcome
Danish study links in utero exposure to PFAAs to lower semen quality and changes in reproductive hormone levels
Brand and Retailer Initiatives Database
Brand & retailer Initiatives Database To help keep track of the global shift towards chemically safe and more resource-conscious food packaging, the Food Packaging Forum has developed a database of voluntary initiatives and commitments by food brands and retailers Jump to dashboard About the database In an effort to improve the chemical safety and resource efficiency of the food contact materials (FCMs) and articles (FCAs) they use, food brands and retailers from around the world have gone beyond legal requirements […]
Researchers report NIAS migration from baby food pouches
Study performs migration testing on 79 plastic baby food pouches; finds four bisphenols, five phthalic acid diesters in targeted analysis and 26 more in suspect screening including 23 non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); NIAS adipic acid – diethylene glycol exceeds the threshold of toxicological concern in 40% of the pouches
It’s time for regulating high persistence chemicals, scientists find
Viewpoint article points out high persistence of chemicals as the main driver for global chemical pollution footprints; urge development of chemicals regulation addressing high persistence alone