Smithers conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials; speakers on day two review recent and upcoming changes to food packaging regulations in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia
EU to monitor mineral oil hydrocarbons in food
EU Commission adopts recommendation to monitor mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and in materials and articles intended for food contact; 2017-2018 monitoring data to be submitted to EFSA by February 2019
EU Parliament adopts single-use plastics rules
EU Parliament adopts report on EU Commission’s proposal for regulation of certain single-use plastic articles contributing to marine litter
EC publishes Circular Economy Action Plan
European Commission’s new plan includes specific aims to simplify packaging materials, reduce unnecessary packaging use, set mandatory requirements for recycled content, remove hazardous chemicals from product life cycles; timelines for individual initiatives published
Assessment of voluntary plastics pledges
EU Commission assesses voluntary pledges made by industry in response to EU strategy for plastics in circular economy; chemical recycling frequently mentioned but rarely included in the volumes of recycled plastic pledged; more information needed on chemicals in plastic waste
Review on low-dose effects of hormones and EDCs
In-depth review of low-dose effects of hormones and endocrine disrupting chemicals and their implications for risk assessment
EFSA changed abstract of its BPA risk assessment
Abstract of EFSA’s risk assessment now acknowledges low health concern associated with aggregate exposure to BPA
EFSA: Strategy 2020
Management board adopts EFSA’s strategy 2020; main objectives include engagement of public and stakeholders in scientific assessment; policy update on EFSA’s independence planned; CEF and ANS Panels to be replaced by new panels in 2018
EFSA identifies gaps in risk assessment guidance
Scientific Committee recommends new EFSA guidance on the use of the weight of evidence approach and biological relevance in toxicology
FPF comments on EFSA’s phthalates prioritization strategy
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) finds that the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) planned approach lacks clear recommendation for removing known hazardous chemicals from food contact materials; prioritization of food contact chemicals of concern should be based on hazard properties in alignment with the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability