European Commission initiative to consider lowering migration limits for lead, cadmium, other heavy metals in ceramic, glass, and enamel food contact materials; feedback on roadmap open until June 26, 2019, full public consultation to follow
EU commission calls for additional FCM testing
European Commission asks EU member states to carry out additional tests to determine prevalence of substance migration from food contact materials and articles; recommendation targets primary aromatic amines, bisphenols, plasticizers, and fluorinated compounds
EU chemicals policy 2030 conference
European Commission to host high level conference June 27-28, 2019 to present results from chemicals legislation reviews, invite stakeholders to discuss developments and next steps within the EU
Responses to EU FCM consultation
Stakeholders urge equal treatment of SVHCs in REACH and FCM legislation, call for more harmonized FCM measures
FPF position paper on EU FCM regulation
Food Packaging Forum submits comments for the European food contact regulatory review; suggests clarification of assumptions and publication of updated guidance for safety assessments for all food contact materials
Challenges and developments in plastic converter industry
Food Contact Plastics Seminar 2019 discusses use of the mutual recognition principle, improved supply chain communication, analysis of non-intentionally added substances, and regulation of recycling for plastic FCMs
Faster action on EU EDC strategy needed
EU environment ministers urge Commission to speed up action on EU-wide endocrine disruptor strategy to tackle toys, cosmetics, food contact materials; clearly defined timelines requested; fitness check of relevant EU laws addressing EDCs to be launched next
Assessment of voluntary plastics pledges
EU Commission assesses voluntary pledges made by industry in response to EU strategy for plastics in circular economy; chemical recycling frequently mentioned but rarely included in the volumes of recycled plastic pledged; more information needed on chemicals in plastic waste
Circular economy stakeholder conference
European Commission and European Economic and Social Committee host 2019 conference on circular economy, focus on success stories and new challenges
Guidance on mineral oil hydrocarbons
EU Commission’s Joint Research Centre publishes guidance for sampling, analysis, and reporting of monitoring results for mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and food contact materials