European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes draft framework for developing protocols for scientific assessments, targeted to support EFSA’s staff and external experts
EFSA evaluates 4 PET recycling processes
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers FCMs made from post-consumer PET recycling processes ‘Coopbox’, ‘Ecoiberia’, ‘ANL’, and ‘Pramia Plastic Oy’ safe for contact with all types of foodstuffs
EFSA reevaluates SML of antioxidant in plastic FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel agrees to increase specific migration limit of phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl triesters for use in plastic food contact materials
Risks of combined exposure to EDCs
Scientists use real-life exposure data to identify EDC mixtures associated with health outcomes, demonstrate that combined exposure to multiple EDCs results in effects not observed with single chemicals at similar levels
EEA briefing on biodegradable and compostable plastics
European Environment Agency (EEA) publishes report providing on overview of challenges and opportunities; includes introduction to relevant terminology, implications of use, and comparison of existing certifications; calls for clearer labeling and increased campaigns to inform consumers
Free tool helps companies design circular packaging strategy
The Recycling Partnership and SYSTEMIQ launch Plastic IQ, a free tool to help US companies make their plastic packaging strategy more sustainable; tool assesses current packaging impacts from consumption through end-of-life, builds customizable action plans, and compares “circularity of packaging strategy against industry best practices”
Investors urge major companies to reduce single-use plastic packaging
Investors with over $10 trillion in assets call for urgent action to reduce single-use plastic packaging in the fast-moving consumer goods and grocery retail sectors; cite environmental, climate, and public health threats posed by the entire plastics lifecycle; express concern over the financial risks to companies and investors
Spotlight on compliance of plastic resins
Study by regulatory enforcement officers highlights insufficient compliance work by polyolefin producers on migrating substances from plastics intended for food contact
Studies assess composition and safety of chemicals in recycled HDPE
Scientists analyze volatile compounds in recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE); detect 53 chemicals in two post-consumer HDPE milk bottles including plastic additives and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); risk assessment shows samples do not comply with plastic food packaging regulation; report re-granulation process in mechanical recycling to remove most but not all odor and volatile organic compounds
European Commission proposes Green Claims Directive
European Commission seeks to combat ‘green washing’; proposal would regulate environmental claims and promote transparent communication to consumers; product claims will need to be independently verified, will launch new database of trustworthy labels