European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) update adds 150 substances from 200 additional scientific assessments; future versions of database to expand coverage of chemical properties to metabolism, bioaccumulation, and exposure data
March 27, 2020
Review of tools and methods for polymer risk assessment
European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) publishes report examining applicability of standard tools, test methods, and models for polymer risk assessment; describes identified technical limitations, gives recommendations for improving test guidelines
March 17, 2020
ECHA conclusions on siloxanes, PFHxS, formaldehyde
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) committees for socio-economic analysis (SEAC) and risk assessment (RAC) publish opinions, support restriction proposals on substances
March 4, 2020
Evaluation framework for new approach methodologies
Multistakeholder study presents framework to evaluate new approach methodologies for assessing safety of chemicals; uses three steps and set of core principles, criteria to check if fit-for-purpose; provides case studies illustrating application
March 3, 2020
Swedish report on future chemical management
Ministry of Environment report investigates improving management of hazardous chemicals by group, consideration of mixture toxicity in risk assessment; provides 11 recommendations for regulators; public comments accepted until May 29, 2020
March 3, 2020
Scientific consensus statement on food contact chemicals and human health
Group of 33 international scientists publish peer-reviewed statement identifying seven specific areas for improvement, urge decision makers to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals present in food packaging and other contact food contact materials
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 4, 2020
EFSA report: Human risk assessment for combined exposure
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes technical report outlining low tier risk assessment methodology for multiple regulated compounds with non-cancer effects; implements EFSA’s MIXTOX guidance document
February 4, 2020
Safety of DEHCH
EFSA assesses safety of bis(2-ethylhexyl)cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate (DEHCH) for use as plasticizer in PVC; concluded to present no safety concerns; uncertainty remains about bioaccumulation potential in humans
January 21, 2020
EFSA scientific colloquium on micro, nano plastics in food
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to host meeting focusing on coordinated approach to assessing human health risks of micro and nanoplastics in food on October 15-16, 2020 in Lisbon; call for abstracts open until January 31, 2020
