European Commission publishes roadmap for circular economy action plan; aims to accelerate transition away from linear economy, include sustainable products policy; public feedback period open until January 20, 2020
ECHA committees support restricting C6 PFAS and related substances
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis adopt final opinions supporting Germany’s proposal to restrict the six-carbon chain (C6) undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances; restriction on this per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) specifically targets its use in food contact materials
Polyfluorinated compounds in food packaging
The Food Packaging Forum reports on uses, risks and regulation
European Commission publishes TTIP legal texts
EU textual proposals in bilateral trade talks publicly available, EC commits to higher level of transparency
Combined phthalate exposure may exceed regulatory limit
New Danish study on exposure to phthalate mixtures, combined exposure in young men may occasionally exceed safe limit
Inspections for REACH compliance begin
Inspectors and customs authorities to systematically check importers and manufacturers for registration obligations under REACH
German BfR comments on the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) comments on the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS); criticizes the alleged exclusion of scientific risk assessment experts in the development and implementation of the CSS; comments supported by others with demonstrated ties to chemical industry.
Chemical safety aspects for commonly used plastics
Food Packging Forum presentation at AIMPLAS okPlast conference provides overview of chemical safety aspects of commonly used plastics relevant for the circular economy
FPF comments on UN food systems summit strategy paper
Food Packaging Forum director comments on report outlining food packaging opportunities for the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit; suggests including plastic pollution as a food systems issue for discussion
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