European Chemicals Agency adds benzo[a]pyrene, a common food chain contaminant, to Candidate List for authorization due to its carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, PBT, and vPvB properties
New and expanded UP Scorecard version released
Single-Use Material Decelerator (SUM’D) releases new version of food packaging assessment tool UP Scorecard; featuring expanded regionalization capabilities including Europe, functionality to add new customized containers, a simplified scoring system, and a streamlined presentation of results
Opinion: EDC criteria must be adopted now
European Consumer Organisation calls on EU Commissioner to adopt science-based criteria for endocrine disruptors now and not wait until summer 2016
Foodwatch: German draft mineral oil ordinance not protective enough
Foodwatch criticizes new draft of German mineral oil ordinance; requests lower SML for MOAH, mandatory functional barriers for all paper and board food packaging, strict limit levels for MOSH and MOAH in food
NORMAN-SLE – Open and FAIR suspect screening
Scientists publish creation and implementation details of The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN‑SLE); now openly available as a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) chemical information resource; includes 99 suspect lists and 100,000 substances; new submissions are welcome
Toxic chemicals and reproductive health
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics releases statement on effects of toxic environmental chemicals on reproductive health and calls for action to prevent further harm
Healthy ingredients for a circular economy
European Bioplastics hosts 10th annual conference in Berlin, Germany; circular economy, materials and products, as well as sustainable land use discussed
Mineral oils in chocolate bars
Foodwatch study finds contamination of chocolate products and potato chips with mineral oils; call for strict limit levels in food and mandatory use of functional barriers
Feasibility of EU chemicals legislation database
ECHA evaluates feasibility of developing a database summarizing EU legislation for individual chemicals; updates on transparency efforts, future goals
1.8 mio t of PET bottles recycled in 2015
Report commissioned by Petcore Europe reveals that 59% of all PET bottles placed on the European market were collected for recycling in 2015; report to be discussed at Petcore Europe 2017 conference