European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes report on motivations for companies to substitute hazardous chemicals; greatest drivers found to be regulatory restrictions under REACH, customer demand, internal sustainability strategies
June 24, 2020
FPF comments on EU chemicals strategy roadmap
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) submits feedback on European Commission’s roadmap to develop chemicals strategy for sustainability; calls for sufficient support to establish appropriate test methods, prioritize substitution of the known hazardous chemicals currently authorized for use in food contact materials
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 17, 2020
UBA study investigates BPA alternatives
German Environment Agency (UBA) identifies 44 environmentally relevant potential substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA); tests 26 substances in receptor and screening assays, identifies only one substance with both sufficient data and not displaying endocrine-active effects
January 21, 2020
Washington state webinars on PFAS alternatives assessment
U.S. state of Washington informs about ongoing assessment of alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging; webinars in January and February focus on current project activities, extended scope and hazard and exposure assessment
January 20, 2020
Food cans, printing inks identified as priority products
U.S. state of Washington identifies food cans as priority products under its safer products program for being a significant source of bisphenols, highlighted as major concern for human exposure and volume used; printing inks also included as source of polychlorinated biphenyls
January 13, 2020
Report surveys brands, retailers on plastic packaging shift
Green Alliance report surveys retailers and brands on shift away from plastic packaging, finds concerns surrounding potential impacts of alternative materials; calls made for increased transparency and standardization in assessing and communicating impacts, addressing throw-away society
January 9, 2020
Enhancing substitution of hazardous chemicals
Danish report investigates European efforts to substitute hazardous chemicals on the national level; provides recommendations for companies, organizations, and agencies to improve substitution efforts
November 20, 2019
Retailer report card on chemical safety
‘Mind the Store’ campaign publishes updated report scoring 43 major North American retailers on their actions to remove toxic chemicals from their products; finds improvement over past year in 63% of companies reviewed, focus has been on eliminating PFAS, ortho-phthalates, and bisphenols from products
November 19, 2019
2019 Chemical Footprint Project survey results
Survey reports an increase in participation to 31 businesses, improved chemicals management score from 53 to 67%; 209’000 metric tons hazardous chemicals removed from businesses over past four years