Unexpected SVHC phthalate metabolite found in humans, including children

German biomonitoring study finds mono-n-hexyl phthalate in majority of samples, indicating widespread exposure to substance of very high concern (SVHC) di-n-hexyl phthalate or related compounds; sources of exposure currently under investigation; contribution of food contact materials to human exposure possible, but only limited data available

Four food contact chemicals added to SVHC candidate list

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds five new chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) and expands listing of a sixth; five of the six have been measured in food contact articles; listing obligates producers and suppliers to provide safety information and to notify ECHA; candidate list now contains 240 substances

FPF comments on FCCs under review for REACH Candidate List

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing five food contact chemicals (FCCs) for possible inclusion on the REACH Candidate List of SVHCs; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) shares information on where the FCCs have been measured in food contact; two are on the EU positive list for chemicals in plastic food contact materials; FCCs under consideration for SVHC status and allowed in FCMs highlights need to create stronger connection between FCM regulation and REACH

EU Court of Justice rules in favor of ECHA identifying BPA as SVHC

Trade body PlasticsEurope loses fourth legal case concerning regulations of bisphenol A (BPA); European Court of Justice supports ECHA’s classification of BPA as substance of high very high concern (SVHC)

Six FCCs including melamine and bisphenol S added to SVHC candidate list

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds nine chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC); six have been listed for intentional use or measured in food contact articles; listing obligates producers and suppliers to provide safety information and to notify ECHA; candidate list now contains 233 substances

Study suggests economic interests influence SVHC listing

Researchers analyze drivers influencing the regulation of substances of very high concern (SVHCs); find fact that substances neither produced nor imported in the European Economic Area to be most important factor for listing a substance as SVHC

Comment on EU CLP revision and proposed SVHCs

European Commission publishes draft amendment to the EU’s Classification, Labeling, and Packaging Regulation (CLP); adds classification of endocrine disrupting chemicals and adopts hazard classes from REACH; comment period until October 18, 2022; European Chemicals Agency proposes classifying 9 chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) including bisphenol S and melamine; comment period until October 17, 2022

Arguments by PlasticsEurope in BPA case “unfounded,” says Advocate General

EU Advocate General advises the General Court to reject the primary argument of PlasticsEurope in its case against the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) identification of bisphenol A (BPA) as a substance of very high concern (SVHC); Advocate General calls the argument “in its entirety as unfounded”; this appeal is based on the classification as an environmental endocrine disruptor

ECHA identifies 34 bisphenols for group restriction

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) recommends 34 bisphenols be classified as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) as a group; three of the bisphenols already individually classified as SVHCs; for some bisphenols, more data necessary before classification; group classification can help avoid regrettable substitution

Two food contact chemicals added to SVHC Candidate List

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds four chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC); two of the substances are known to be used in food contact applications; obligates producers and suppliers to provide safety information and to notify ECHA