Scientists agree that potency should not be included in the EU’s criteria for EDCs; NGOs call on European Commission to adopt scientific consensus and release EDC criteria promptly
Decision matrix for EDCs
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment proposes extended assessment criteria to identify endocrine disruptors under European regulation
Conference on uncertainty in risk analysis
EFSA and BfR to hold “International Conference on Uncertainty in Risk Analysis” on February 21-22, 2019 in Berlin; focus on challenges and advances in assessing, managing, and communicating uncertainty
Scientific meeting on EDCs
German institute for risk assessment hosts closed expert meeting on endocrine disruptors; meeting results to be published in scientific journal
Concerns over mineral oils
German TV station airs report on unpublished EFSA document; toxicological consequences of mineral oil exposure allegedly exceed previous assumptions; expert recommends “drastic reduction” of exposure
BPA absorption in the mouth
Scientists compare internal levels and metabolism of BPA after gavage or diet administration; demonstrate significant buccal absorption of BPA from solid foods
Stakeholders discuss global plastic treaty
Friends of Europe hosts online debate bringing together stakeholder groups from industry, regulatory agencies, and NGOs; considers how to achieve a circular plastics economy, discusses the necessity of a global plastic treaty, prevention of plastic waste trade and illegal waste dumping, extended producer responsibility schemes (EPRs), need for unified EU plastic waste market; discussions build on report by European Environment Agency, case study by Zero Waste Europe and report by Ellen MacArthur Foundation
BPA and fertility treatment
Exposure to BPA reduces successful IVF treatments, studies find; eating soy may protect women from BPA’s adverse reproductive effects, according to most recent study
Reactions to EU EDC criteria
Industry, environment and health groups, as well as science community mostly express criticism and disappointment over European Commission’s proposal for EDC criteria
First World Food Safety Day
Celebrating the first ever World Food Safety Day, EFSA publishes results of EU consumer survey on food safety, BfR holds event on microplastics