Bangkok Post informs about a community campaign encouraging food vendors in Bangkok to use bio-based, biodegradable food containers instead of styrofoam and other plastic packaging
Sweden comments on EDC criteria
The Swedish Chemicals Agency responded to the Commission’s proposal on criteria to identify EDCs
ECHA committees agree on restriction of 4 phthalates
ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis support proposal to ban endocrine disrupting phthalates DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP in various articles; all 4 substances relevant for food contact materials
ECHA collects information for microplastics restriction
ECHA opens call for evidence on possible restriction of intentionally added microplastics; call open until May 11, 2018; informational webinar to be held on March 12, 2018
TTIP: Chemical sector will not be excluded
EU chief negotiator dismisses exclusion of chemicals from Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
ECHA committees reach consensus on PFHxS but not on resorcinol
Committee agrees to support Norway’s restriction proposal on manufacture and placing on the market of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts, and related substances; cannot reach consensus to identify resorcinol as substance of very high concern (SVHC), agree that it is endocrine disrupting under World Health Organization (WHO) definition
Polystyrene recycling to be set up in France
Consortium of French companies and organizations to develop industrial-scale polystyrene recycling channel in France by 2020
French proposal for Bisphenol A ban enters another round
The French senate adopted a legal proposition which would ban Bisphenol A in food packaging designated for children under three years of age. All other packaging intended to come into contact with food would have to state that this product is not suitable for pregnant women and children under three. The amendments made by the senate require now adoption by the French National Assembly.
EEB priorities for upcoming EU chemical strategy
Non-governmental organization European Environmental Bureau (EEB) publishes position paper setting 8 priorities for upcoming EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability; calls for revision of food contact materials legislation, creation of chemical substitution forums and technical support centers for small and medium sized businesses, ‘polluter pays’ tax
BFFP: 13 key investments to combat plastic pollution
Break Free From Plastic (BFFP) recommends 13 key investments for US federal action; includes funding for multi re-use facility infrastructure, Environmental Protection Agency , research, government, and educational institutions; discourages further investments in chemical recycling, waste-to-energy/fuel technologies, carbon sequestration, downcycling, production, distribution and export of plastics