European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and ClientEarth win appeal case brought by lobby group PlasticsEurope; EU Court of Justice confirms ECHA listing of bisphenol A (BPA) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its endocrine-disrupting properties for humans; PlasticsEurope cannot appeal again
December 16, 2021
ECHA committees support restricting C6 PFAS and related substances
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis adopt final opinions supporting Germany’s proposal to restrict the six-carbon chain (C6) undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts, and related substances; restriction on this per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) specifically targets its use in food contact materials
December 15, 2021
ECHA assesses regulatory needs of phthalates as a group
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes assessment of regulatory needs for groups of chemicals including ortho-phthalates; concludes that all phthalates with C4-C6 carbon backbones and similar substances are likely reproductive toxicants and endocrine disruptors; suggests regulation as a group
December 8, 2021
ECHA regulation updates limits of DEHP in FCMs
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adopts regulation recognizing bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate’s (DEHP) endocrine disrupting properties; substance now also requires authorization for use in food contact materials (FCMs) when levels exceed 0.1% by weight
December 3, 2021
ECHA reviews chemical recycling technologies
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) identifies current lack of information on chemical recycling’s ability to manage and remove chemicals of concern; recommends each technology is reviewed separately for potential conflicts with current chemicals and product safety regulations; calls for on-site studies at recycling facilities
October 20, 2021
Addressing ambiguity to improve the management of polymers
Researchers identify systematic ambiguity within CAS labeling framework as hampering public oversight on chemical safety; outline set of recommendations to close data gaps and increase transparent communication
October 11, 2021
ECHA conference sums up first year of EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) scientists, and chemical supply chain stakeholders meet online for Safer Chemicals Conference; discuss changes to chemical assessments, nanomaterials, launch of SCIP database; highlights inefficient communication between stakeholders slowing down processes
September 20, 2021
Hazardous chemicals in European products: new SCIP database
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launches database of all notifications from EU companies of products containing Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs); contains over 4 million article notifications from 6000 companies; includes articles such as food processors; Swedish Chemicals Agency launches pilot project to identify potentially hazardous chemicals early in product design process
July 21, 2021
Five EU Member States register intention to restrict PFAS
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden jointly inform the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of their intention to submit a REACH restriction dossier on PFAS in 2022; stakeholders can contribute information to inform the dossier’s development until September 19, 2021
July 14, 2021
ECHA adds 8 chemicals to SVHC Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) updates the Candidate List for substances of very high concern (SVHCs); four out of eight new candidates are food contact chemicals: glutaral, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins, 1,4-dioxane, and 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde and its individual stereoisomers; 219 substances now on the SVHC Candidate List
