Seven substances set for consideration under state’s Proposition 65 legislation; includes bisphenol A and decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE); comments accepted until October 19, 2020
Australia classifies TBBPA as category 2 carcinogen
Department of Health publishes assessment report for tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), concludes that it is suspected of causing causer; substance largely used as a flame retardant in circuit boards, included in database of food contact chemicals
U.S. state lawmakers focus on developing PFAS legislation
Analysis from Safer States finds 29 U.S. states currently considering over 180 chemicals policies; focus placed largely on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with 13 states specifically considering restrictions on PFAS in food packaging; Wisconsin opens online survey for PFAS Action Council until February 21, 2020
EU bans recycling of materials containing PBDEs
EU withdraws exemption under Stockholm Convention that allowed recycling of materials containing the brominated flame retardants tetrabromodiphenyl ether (tetraBDE) and pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE)
Public events on safer products bill and toxicology roadmap
U.S. State of Washington to host webinar on August 29, 2019 explaining new Safer Products for Washington bill and planned implementation; U.S. FDA to hold public workshop on September 18, 2019 providing update on development of Predictive Toxicology Roadmap
IPEN: ‘alarming levels’ in recycled plastics
Analyses of consumer products made of recycled plastics show high concentrations of brominated dioxins and brominated flame retardants; IPEN calls for stricter controls
POPs regulation endorsed by European Council
European Council endorses recast of Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation, adopts 500 ppm limit for brominated flame retardants and 10,000 ppm limit for short-chain chlorinated paraffins
No higher limit for PBDEs in recycled plastics
EU Parliament adopts POPs Regulation Recast but rejects amendment to increase maximum concentration limit for persistent organic pollutants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers in recycled plastics
Toxic chemicals in recycled plastics products
New study by environmental health organizations finds brominated flame retardants in children’s food contact articles and other products made of recycled plastics; call against recycling of hazardous waste
Symposium on circular economy
University of Exeter and Ellen MacArthur Foundation host 2-day symposium on circular economy research and practice, discuss future challenges and innovation