The European Commission (EC) published a guide for applying Directive (EU) 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, known as the Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive; defines plastics and SUPs; composite materials and biodegradable plastics included in Directive; Member States must have measures in place by July 3, 2021
20% of companies registered wrongly under REACH
REACH enforcement project finds non-compliance amongst registrants, REACH forum to focus next on chemical phase out
European Commission on nanomaterial inventory
European Commission and Member States to weigh options for increasing transparency on nanomaterial use
EU Parliament calls for swift action on EDCs
Resolution passes in EU Parliament calling for EU Commission to act swiftly to ensure human and environmental protection from endocrine disrupting chemicals; specifically calls for revising regulation on food contact materials no later than June 2020
Common food contact chemical causes reproductive failure
Scientists demonstrate migration and sperm-related reproductive toxicity of surfynol, a surfactant commonly used in adhesives employed in multilayer food packaging
EU Commission’s plastics plan: Challenges ahead
News outlet Euractiv publishes special report on packaging and environment; featured articles and interviews address circular economy and plastics strategy unveiled by EU Commission
Conference of European masterbatchers and compounders
2018 European Masterbatchers and Compounders association conference to take place on May 17, 2018 in Brussels; draft program and registration now available
EU governments consider actions on circular economy
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes literature review to find and evaluate risks that could come from a circular economy, actions the agency could take to mitigate any risks; suggests further research on exposure risks from shelf life extending materials as well as recycled, reusable, and biobased packaging; European Commission proposes ecodesign for sustainable products regulation; Ireland’s cabinet passes circular economy bill
EFSA seeks feedback on communicating uncertainty
EFSA publishes draft guidance on communication of uncertainty in scientific assessments; public consultation open until June 24, 2018
ECHA inspection: failures to communicate SVHCs in articles
European Chemicals Agency pilot enforcement project finds 12% of inspected articles contain substances of very high concern (SVHCs) with 88% of suppliers failing to sufficiently communicate to customers; calls for improved communication in the supply chain