New safety assessment of unknown non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in food contact materials (FCM) presented
News Article
December 23, 2013
News Article
October 12, 2023
Stakeholder task force releases guidelines for compostable products legislation
US Composting Council, Biodegradable Products Institute, industry, and civil society organizations collaborate on publishing principles to guide policymakers; suggest requirement for third-party certification of compostability claims; present clear rules for labeling and product design
News Article
October 7, 2016
Non-target screening of silicone rubber extracts
Scientists perform non-target screening of compounds extracted from infant silicone teats; identify 140 compounds in 12 categories; more than a third of substances need safety evaluation
News Article
June 18, 2020
Report grades companies on responses to plastic pollution
Shareholder advocacy group As You Sow evaluates 50 largest US consumer-facing companies on their responses to address plastic pollution crisis; finds most companies too slow in adopting actions to prioritize packaging reduction and to promote reusability, recyclability, compostability; outlines key recommendations
News Article
August 4, 2023
Degradation of compostable plastics can increase toxicity, scientists emphasize
Studies analyze biodegradable – including compostable – plastics for their in vitro toxicity and chemical composition; comparison with conventional plastics indicates higher toxicity of compostables which further increases with photodegradation and composting; detect brominated flame retardants in “biodegradable”-labeled food packaging
News Article
June 2, 2017
In vitro testing of paper and board FCMs
Scientists test paper and board FCMs in 8 in vitro bioassays; all 20 samples showed positive responses in at least one of the assays; chemicals in paper and board FCMs require further investigation to ensure safety
News Article
November 26, 2021
EU delays decisions on polymer registration, EDCs, and microplastics
Mandates for CARACAL subgroups on polymer registration and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) set to be extended by up to two years; proposed legislation on microplastics now seemingly delayed by one year
News Article
October 16, 2017
EC: REACH amendments for nanomaterials
EU Commission publishes draft regulation amending REACH Annexes ‘to address nanoforms of substances’; consultation open until November 6, 2017
News Article
July 21, 2020
Draft of EU chemicals strategy shows internal disagreements
Leaked draft version developed by DG Environment and commented on by DG Grow; proposed mixture assessment factor not supported by DG Grow, overall wording requested to be ‘less definitive and committing’; NGOs concerned revisions could place public health behind corporate interests
News Article
May 22, 2019
EU Council adopts single-use plastic bans
European Council formally adopts new rules on single-use plastics and recycling targets; directive completes final step before becoming law; England to ban plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds from April 2020
