Chinese National Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials issues draft standard for composite FCMs; consultation period open until July 16, 2017
News Article
June 22, 2017
News Article
March 2, 2015
Safety and compliance of FCMs discussed
Interactive seminar focused on the legal requirements and responsibilities of the food contact material supply chain
News Article
August 23, 2022
US Senate passes bills to increase recycling accessibility, data
United States Senate unanimously passes the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act, Recycling and Composting Accountability Act; both receive wide support from industry and environmental groups; must pass House of Representatives to become national policy
News Article
May 3, 2019
Environmental fate of biodegradable bags
Plastic bags labeled as ‘biodegradable’ remain intact after 3 years in marine environment, scientists report; bioplastics industry criticizes study design, interpretation
News Article
July 27, 2021
NIAS migration from plastic wine corks
Scientific study uses non-targeted chemical analysis to provide an overview of chemicals migrating from 8 wine corks made of ethylene-vinyl acetate; identifies 50 compounds, 84% non-intentionally added substances (NIAS); finds one cork not suitable as food contact material
News Article
February 25, 2022
Scientists present computer-based approach for designing safer chemicals
Dutch researchers introduce workflow to select chemicals for redesign and develop safer and more sustainable alternatives in a systematic, computer-aided way; illustrate and apply approach to identify and synthesize alternative to flame retardant with reduced persistency; emphasize need to improve knowledge and prediction on chemicals’ biodegradability
News Article
February 6, 2020
New European commissioner targets non-toxic material cycles
European Commissioner for the Internal Market (DG Grow) commits to removing hazardous substances from material cycles in first address to Parliamentary committee on environment; aims to harmonize rules for substances of very high concern (SVHCs), update REACH legislation to manage endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
News Article
December 20, 2012
EU Commission announces annual activities for food contact materials in 2013
Plans include an impact assessment for food contact materials not explicitly regulated on EU level, new migration testing guidelines, an assessment of surface biocide regulation for food contact material use and preparations of a first positive list for active and intelligent materials and as well as of further authorizations of plastic recycling processes. Ongoing efforts are addressing the revision of the ceramics directive.
News Article
April 26, 2021
China requesting comments for five FCCs
China requests comments for five new food contact chemicals (FCCs); includes two additives, three polymer resins; consultation open until May 13, 2021
News Article
December 9, 2022
EC proposes revisions to packaging and waste legislation
European Commission (EC) publishes proposal to revise the EU legislation on packaging and packaging waste; includes mandatory targets for waste reduction, re-use, and minimum recycled content in plastic packaging; based on three problems identified by an impact assessment: growing packaging waste generation, barriers to packaging recycling and re-use, and low recycling quality in plastic packaging
