European Commission releases revised draft criteria for identification of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); Member States to discuss the revised proposals on November 18
Restriction proposal on microplastics
ECHA notifies of intent to prepare restriction dossier for intentionally added microplastics in all consumer and professional products
Food packaging made from food
Article in New York Times presents alternative food packaging materials developed from food residues such as excess milk powder, tomato peels, or shrimp shells
EFSA pledges data transparency
EFSA announces publicizing of data used in scientific opinions; data submitted by EU Member States to be shared starting 2016; industry worried over trade secrets and health scares
Assessing groups of hazardous chemicals
Article by ChemSec addresses structural similarity of chemicals of concern, calls for safety evaluation of chemicals in groups rather than individually
Recycling of flexible polyethylene
Plastics Recyclers Europe publishes paper identifying key barriers to increasing recycling of flexible polyethylene films, calls for harmonized collection and sorting as well as design for recycling guidelines
Second study finds microplastics in human placenta
Clinical study investigates 10 microplastic types in human placenta and meconium; detects polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane in the samples; highlights that evaluation and control of potential contamination is crucial
ZWE critiques industry-funded Life Cycle Assessments on reusable packaging in new report
Zero Waste Europe compares three packaging life cycle assessment (LCA) studies; two are industry-funded, one is published by a university; finds that industry funding introduces heavy biases when making assumptions about reuse systems; also finds industry-funded reports lack transparency in methodologies
GenX chemicals proposed as SVHCs
New Dutch proposal calls for review of GenX chemicals as substances of very high concern in the EU; commenting period open until April 29, 2019
P&P conference 2019: FCM legal developments
Keynote talks and presentations during Smithers Pira’s annual conference on plastics and paper in contact with food inform about new EU legislation and global regulatory developments