Chemicals of concern in the circular economy

Scientists find one-fifth of brominated flame retardants’ content in recycling streams is transferred to new products; discuss trade-offs between consumer safety and resource efficiency; European officials maintain toxics can be managed within the circular economy

REACH and CLP progress report

ECHA publishes second report on the operation of the REACH and CLP regulation; knowledge of chemical properties increased; companies still need to provide more and better data

SIN list update

ChemSec adds 18 new substances of very high concern to SIN List; update includes 2 UV-filters permitted in packaging inks; all substances already included in REACH Candidate List

Update: BPA proposed as SVHC

France plans two-step submission of proposals to classify BPA as a substance of very high concern; carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic potential to be addressed by August 2016; endocrine disrupting properties to follow in February 2017

ECHA: SVHC roadmap progress report

ECHA reports on activities to identify substances of very high concern in 2015; focus on endocrine disrupting chemicals

Opinion: Plastics recycling at risk

Banning POPs and SVHCs endangers plastics recycling and circular material flow, according to recycling company

France: BPA proposed as SVHC

France declares intention of proposing BPA as a substance of very high concern by August 2016

EU FCM policy briefing

Non-profit organization HEAL publishes policy briefing on regulation of FCMs in the EU; prioritizes regulation of paper and board, varnishes and coatings, and printing inks; calls for ban of SVHCs and EDCs in food contact materials

BPA classified as reproductive toxicant

European Commission’s REACH Committee adopts draft regulation classifying BPA as ‘toxic for reproduction’

FCM press release: Health and Environment Alliance

Non-profit organization HEAL publishes press release on regulation of FCMs in the EU; highlights necessity of regulating all types of FCMs and prohibiting use of SVHCs and EDCs