8th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on linking policy-making with scientific research to improve the safety of food contact materials; video recordings, presentation slides, and summary articles now available online
EU surveys phthalate uses in FCMs
DG SANTE seeks information on the uses of phthalates in plastic, non-plastic, multilayer food contact materials; survey open until November 8, 2019
ECHA publishes list of pending biocidal applications
List published to increase transparency and raise awareness among companies
Denmark and Sweden to increase political pressure on EU chemical regulation
Denmark and Sweden agree to strengthen cooperation on chemicals; shall lead to a stronger influence on EU chemicals policy-making
Chemicals of concern in pizza boxes
Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals tests pizza boxes and finds fluorocarbons and other chemicals of concern in all samples
ECHA holds online safer chemicals conference
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) online event features 14 presentations from government agencies and industry associations, retailers; covers topics under the themes of safer chemicals, tracking substances of concern, and harmonized information for poison control centers; slides and recordings available
Risk and hazard are not the same
In the context of chemicals the terms “risk” and “hazard” have very different meanings; blog post explains
Focus on persistent and mobile chemicals
Scientists call for more research and regulation regarding ‘mobile’ chemicals, as these pose high risk to aquatic environment and drinking water quality
Symposium on Food Contact Materials Safety
International Food Contact Materials Safety Symposium in Guangzhou, China brings together academic, industry, regulatory and civil society experts to discuss developments towards safer and sustainable packaging
More research on oligomers needed, scientists say
Perspective article emphasizes that the “invisible” part of polymers, the oligomers, have been overlooked with the focus being on the “visible” part, the microplastics; urgency to increase knowledge on oligomer properties, environmental behavior, and toxicity given their ever-increasing diversity, quantity, and potential toxicity