Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) reports progress, or lack thereof, on corporate packaging commitments set for 2025; plastic pact signatories increased portfolio of recycled, recyclable, or compostable products by 2% between 2019 and 2021; reuse decreased, and virgin plastic use increased; EMF calling for stronger governmental action and support of UN plastic pollution treaty
Corporate plastic commitments not expected to meet 2025 targets
Updates on global food contact legislation
Global regulatory news and industry initiatives presented at Smithers Pira conference on Global Food Contact; presentations focused on the harmonization of the European legislation and the mutual understanding of global regulatory frameworks
Upcoming webinar on microplastics
Collaborative on Health and Environment to hold third webinar within series on the effects on plastics on health; registration now open
Webinar on microplastics now available online
Recording of Collaborative on Health and Environment’s recent webinar on microplastics now available online for streaming
EU Commission presents EDC strategy
European Commission publishes communication outlining the EU’s strategic approach to managing endocrine disruptors; NGOs criticize lack of specific actions and missing timeline to reduce EDC exposure
Many REACH registrations non-compliant
Study by German authorities finds 32% of high production volume chemicals non-compliant with REACH safety data requirements; 31% compliant, rest uncertain; European Environmental Bureau suggests actions for improvement
Study finds microplastics harm immune cells
Researchers at University Medical Center Utrecht observe that immune cell death rate triples after contact with microplastics; presents results at Plastic Health Summit in Amsterdam on October 3, 2019
EU report on plastics innovations
EU Commission’s Directorate-General on Research and Innovation releases report on circular economy for plastics, summarizing research and innovation developments to provide reference information for future policy and funding decisions
UN: ‘Beat plastic pollution’
New report by UN Environment reviews global state of plastic pollution and counteracting measures, provides policy recommendations to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management