Huffington Post reports on withdrawal of two proposed rules by the US EPA, no longer necessary due to other efforts
Chinese consultation on five food contact substances
Chinaโs National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment calls for comments on five food contact substances; includes glass fiber, polymeric substances for use in paper, coatings
Restriction of 4 phthalates progressing
ECHAโs Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis issues final opinion in favor of banning endocrine disrupting phthalates DEHP, DBP, DIBP, and BBP in consumer articles; all 4 phthalates relevant for food contact materials
New York Times investigates PFAS and pregnancy
Publishes second article in three-part series on hazardous chemical exposure at home; provides overview of research on toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to developing fetuses, young children; profiles US families with high PFAS concentrations in drinking water, efforts to restrict uses
ECHA: 2016 SVHC roadmap report
ECHA releases annual report on progress in identifying substances of very high concern; calls on companies to improve REACH registration data to assess chemicalsโ hazards and risks; will focus more on groups of structurally similar substances
Japan revises existing substances list
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) publishes draft lists of existing substances for use in synthetic food contact resins; set to be consolidated into final positive list announced in April 2020; revisions open for public comment