Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits comment to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on the development of a pollution prevention planning notice for food plastic packaging; FPF highlights aspects of chemical safety and circularity for ECCC to consider; primarily (i) chemical migration, (ii) supporting safe reuse, and (iii) standards for compostable materials
Canada intends to approach PFAS as single class
Canadian government announces intention to consider per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as single class; will continue to support PFAS related research, collect information on how to implement approach, review implementation of other jurisdictions; plans to publish overview report in 2023; approach open for stakeholder feedback about challenges and opportunities
UK recognizes importance of grouping PFAS
UK environmental minister identifies the need to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a group, included in response to a letter sent earlier by civil society organizations to UK agencies calling for PFAS restrictions in food packaging
Study measures PFAS in UK food packaging
Fidra publishes report testing for presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in 92 samples of fiber-based food packaging from UK supermarkets and take away restaurants; finds 18 have total organic fluorine levels above background concentration; highest concentrations in molded fiber take away boxes
BPA and ethinyl estradiol affect fertility in fish generations later
Study shows offspring of fish exposed to BPA and EE2 to have decreased fertility and increased embryo mortality three generations later
Canada identifies four parabens for toxic substances list
Government publishes draft screening assessment of 7 parabens, identifies 4 to present danger to human health or environment at current levels of exposure; proposed risk management published; findings open for public comment until May 13, 2020
UK government discusses toxic chemicals
UK House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee enquires into ‘Toxic chemicals in everyday life,’ hears evidence on chemical exposure, discusses post-Brexit regulatory situation for chemicals in products including food contact materials
Canada paves way for future regulations on plastics
Government lists plastic products in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) as “toxic”; legal step required in order to move forward with new regulation, product restrictions; will support government in implementing national plastic plans
UK keeps FCM legislation in no-deal Brexit
United Kingdom’s Parliament passes legislation to regulate food contact materials in case no deal is reached with the EU; copies current EU legislation with potential future trade impacts if EU laws further develop
UK plastics pact
UK WRAP alliance and Ellen MacArthur Foundation launch UK Plastics Pact uniting national stakeholders; platform part of international initiative The Plastics Pact aiming to accelerate transition towards new plastics economy