U.S. NGO Environmental Health News criticizes FDA’s approaches to designing and performing CLARITY-BPA study, interpreting its results; presents results of own investigation suggesting intentional manipulation, potential industry influence
Belgian plastics industry in the circular economy
Results from study find 54% increase in recycling of plastics in Belgium since 2006; identify that recycled plastics not fully used in new products; report provides tables and figures with mass flows of plastic waste sources and treatments
Thresholds for non-intentional PFAS in recycled food packaging
Researches from Iowa State University publish study measuring limits of performance of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) concentrations in recycled paper food packaging; propose thresholds to define non-intentionally added PFAS for regulatory applications
Unknowns in chemical exposure
Wall Street Journal reports on persistent chemicals from consumer products, uncertainties in exposure and toxicity
EFSA: Safety of 'Alimpet' and 'Texplast' processes
EFSA’s CEP Panel considers PET recycled through ‘Alimpet’ or ‘Texplast’ processes to be safe for use in food contact applications not involving heating in microwave or conventional ovens
ENVI committee adopts resolution on chemicals strategy
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of European Parliament passes resolution calling for upcoming chemicals strategy to fully apply precautionary and polluter-pays principles; resulting legislation should address and minimize endocrine disrupting and other hazardous chemicals in products including food packaging and recycled materials
EU Commission plans EDC hazard classes within CLP
European Commission announces plan to create new hazard classes for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within the EU’s Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) Regulation; industry stakeholders criticize decision, call for addressing EDCs via REACH Regulation; civil society groups welcome change; further discussion planned for February 2021
Commission opens call for biochemical research
European Commission launches new research partnership, first call for research into bio-based materials
EDCs: Sweden wins court case against European Commission
General Court of the European Union concludes that the European Commission has breached EU law by failing to define criteria for identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals
BPI guidelines for compostable FCMs
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) publishes set of guidelines for labeling and identifying compostable food contact materials (FCMs); aims to reduce contamination of composting waste streams; focuses on improved labelling and communication of compostable products