Report maps scientific data on more than 16,000 plastic chemicals; finds gaps in current governance and knowledge that prevent effective management; recommends policy actions based on current state-of-the-science
P&P: Regulatory updates
Global regulatory updates presented at Smithers Pira 2016 P&P conference: final U.S. FDA guidance on FCMs for infant products expected, China updates its FCM regulation
Benchmark for barrier efficiency
Scientists suggest specification and testing method for barrier efficiency of internal bags used to reduce the migration from food packaging made of recycled paperboard
Philippines watchdog urges ban on PFAS
EcoWaste Coalition urges Philippines Environmental Management Bureau to ban PFAS as a class; highlights local study of elevated PFAS in women with breast cancer around Manila
Health Canada guide on glazed ceramics, glassware regulations
Government agency Health Canada publishes updated industry guide providing relevant information, examples, migration limits, designs for warnings labels; emphasizes that undecorated glassware and ceramics out of scope of regulation
New FPF report: Overview on sustainability of food packaging
Holistic approaches to enable sustainable production and consumption
Studies report on oligomer migration from food packaging
Scientists perform migration experiments for oligomer analysis; one study detects eight chemicals including six non-intentionally added oligomers to migrate from multilayer biodegradable teacups; second study reports on oligomer migration from polycarbonate tableware as ‘hidden source’ of bisphenol A (BPA)
New EU Directive targets sustainability labels and greenwashing buzzwords
EU Parliamentarians overwhelmingly approve new directive to limit sustainability certifications and claims such as “eco friendly”, “biodegradable”, and “natural” without proof; offsets to earn environmental claims will also no longer be allowed
PlasticsEurope report on plastic demand and waste
Industry association’s annual report provides data on Europe’s 2019 demand for plastic and end-of-life management; presents consumption by country, resin type; identifies packaging as greatest demand sector for plastics; finds average European plastics recycling collection rate of 42%
Commentary on microplastics as a vector for chemical transport
Scientists respond to perspective article providing clarifications on plastic-driven long-range environmental transport (LRET) of chemical additives; discuss nine shortcomings of the perspective; suggest omitting the perspective article in discussions on plastic debris-associated LRET of additives