Public comment period opens on ongoing evaluation of EU legislation related to irradiation of food and food ingredients; comments accepted until May 25, 2020
February 27, 2020
EC meeting discusses future FCM regulation
European Commission (EC) holds meeting reviewing draft regulatory texts for 15th and 16th amendment of plastics regulation 10/2011 and for plastic food contact materials (FCMs) recycling regulation; contemplates regulatory options for novel FCMs including plastics with bamboo fibers; presents specific updates and timelines for future work
February 18, 2020
EC solicits feedback on ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy roadmap
European Commission (EC) opens feedback period on the roadmap for strategy that aims to transition to a sustainable food system; comments accepted until March 16, 2020
February 13, 2020
Conference on EU food contact regulations
Chemical Watch hosts conference covering European and global regulations on food contact materials, risk assessment, and circular economy; two-year delay in the evaluation of FCM legislation announced
February 6, 2020
Letter from EU Health Commissioner on FCM concerns
European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety responds to CHEM Trust regarding concerns with current EU food contact material legislation, recognizes stakeholder concerns, promises to move ahead with prioritization of harmful substances including endocrine disruptors
January 8, 2020
Commission publishes roadmap for circular economy action plan
European Commission publishes roadmap for circular economy action plan; aims to accelerate transition away from linear economy, include sustainable products policy; public feedback period open until January 20, 2020
January 7, 2020
EU initiatives to implement single-use plastics directive
Law firm Keller and Heckman provide overview of current initiatives related to SUP directive; outline recent and ongoing public surveys to inform policy development, includes timeline of upcoming guidance documents and implementing acts; current public survey open online until January 10, 2020
January 6, 2020
EU ministers recommend PFAS restrictions
European environmental ministers announce intention to draft PFAS restriction proposal, prohibit non-essential uses, create EU action plan; emphasize need to manage substances as a group
December 23, 2019
EFSA to re-assess phthalates again
EU Commission plans to ask EFSA to do yet another risk assessment of phthalates in plastic food contact materials, look at endpoints other than reproductive toxicity
December 17, 2019
JRC report on nanomaterial identification
European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) publishes report with guidance on measurement techniques to identify nanomaterials under the EU definition; includes practical examples and flowchart to support analysis
