European Commission (EC) publishes policy framework on bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics; aims to guide policy, industry, and public; “bioplastics” should not distract from circular economy principles prioritizing reduction, reuse, recycling; 17th annual European Bioplastics conference gives insights into recent bioplastics’ developments; bioplastics production capacities projected to almost triple by 2027
7th Biopolymers and Sustainable Composites Seminar
The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry
EFSA authorizes six PET recycling processes for up to 100 % use in food contact materials
EFSA authorized PET recycling processes based on the STARLINGER IV+ technology and the “RPET Nosinyec process”
EDC: Motion of censure fails
Motion of censure on European Commission stopped due to insufficient number of signatures after 16 Members of European Parliament withdraw theirs
ECHA finds health benefits outweigh costs of REACH restrictions
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) study analyzes costs and benefits of REACH restrictions proposed during 2016-2020; finds public health benefits of €2.1 billion per year outweigh costs of €0.5 billion per year; restrictions protect over seven million EU citizens from cancers, sexual development disorders, asthma, skin allergies; prevents annual release of 100 000 tons of polluting chemicals
Gaps in FCM regulation
Extensive article informs about gaps in FCM regulation in the EU, hazardous substances found in FCMs, and efforts made by regulators, industry, and non-profit organizations to improve the situation
PET collection and recycling growing in Europe
Nearly 60% of PET bottles on European market collected for recycling in 2016, according to Petcore Europe report; detailed survey results to be discussed at 2018 Petcore Europe conference
New draft of German mineral oil ordinance
German authorities publish draft ordinance restricting the migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons; no limit for mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons included
French retailers restrict mineral oils in food
Six French retailers set limit values for MOSH and MOAH in their own-brand food products