In advance of International Women’s Day on 8th March, CHEM Trust sat down with Marie Louise Holmer, Special Consultant at the Research Group for Molecular and Reproductive Toxicology, DTU National Food Institute in Denmark, to highlight her work in toxicology and endocrine disruptors (EDs). We discuss what inspired her to start working on EDs and what the EU needs to do to … [Read more...] about Discussing endocrine disruptors and the need for EU action with Marie Louise Holmer
Conference – REACH revision 2025: simpler, faster, bolder
2025 is an important year for the future of the EU’s chemicals policy. Governments and the European Commission are under pressure to stop chemical pollution, which has got out of control, and to respond to a chemical sector facing a new energy and economic landscape. REACH needs to be updated to become simpler in generating information, faster in controlling the most … [Read more...] about Conference – REACH revision 2025: simpler, faster, bolder
EU Parliament backs revision of Toys Safety directive
Toxic chemicals do not belong in children’s toys – and last week, the European Parliament took a strong position on making this a reality. With 603 votes in favour, 5 against and 15 abstentions, the Members of the European Parliament decided to support the revision of the current EU Toys Safety Directive. Last week saw the European Parliament vote almost unanimously to … [Read more...] about EU Parliament backs revision of Toys Safety directive
EU Commission publishes proposal to ban BPA in certain Food Contact Materials
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on their proposal to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in certain food contact materials (FCMs). BPA is the most well-known and commonly used bisphenol, which are chemicals that are widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and resins, including in food packaging. … [Read more...] about EU Commission publishes proposal to ban BPA in certain Food Contact Materials
Consultation responses highlight support to address harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials
Last week marked one year since the European Commission opened the public consultation on the revision of EU Food Contact Materials (FCM) legislation. While the revision proposal is yet to be published, responses to the consultation demonstrate that there is wide-ranging support for action to address hazardous chemicals in FCMs. … [Read more...] about Consultation responses highlight support to address harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials
‘Addressing mixtures is needed and overdue’ – an interview with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp on chemical mixtures
CHEM Trust recently sat down with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp from Brunel University London to discuss his recent research on the impact of exposure to chemical mixtures on male fertility. The new study, ‘Combined exposures to bisphenols, polychlorinated dioxins, paracetamol, and phthalates as drivers of deteriorating semen quality’, found that our exposures to mixtures of … [Read more...] about ‘Addressing mixtures is needed and overdue’ – an interview with Professor Andreas Kortenkamp on chemical mixtures
New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials
A new peer-reviewed study published by the Food Packaging Forum and others has found that food contact materials could contain up to 388 harmful chemicals, which should be phased out urgently. The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, identifies 388 Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoC) that could be used in food contact materials. Of these 388: … [Read more...] about New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials
Human biomonitoring results reveal widespread exposure of general public to harmful chemicals
On 27th and 28th April the final conference of the research project HBM4EU brought together policymakers, scientists, civil society and industry representatives from across Europe to discuss the latest human biomonitoring data on harmful chemicals. The conference had a clear message: a lot more needs to be done to protect the general population from health impacts due to … [Read more...] about Human biomonitoring results reveal widespread exposure of general public to harmful chemicals
A ‘Chemical Cocktail’ is threatening England’s rivers
Today the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has published a new report concluding that a 'chemical cocktail' of sewage, slurry and plastic is polluting English rivers and putting public health and nature at risk. The report is the result of its inquiry into water quality in English rivers, launched in December 2020. None of England's rivers assessed by … [Read more...] about A ‘Chemical Cocktail’ is threatening England’s rivers
European Parliament resolution calls for a rapid reform of FCM laws
In October 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Farm to Fork Strategy, supporting targets and measures to reduce pollution along the value chain including EU Food Contact Materials (FCM). Parliament called on the European Commission to bring forward the date of the publication of their proposal for a new regulatory framework. Action on the most … [Read more...] about European Parliament resolution calls for a rapid reform of FCM laws
