On 14th October the European Commission published a new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) as part of the delivery of the EU’s zero pollution ambition in the European Green Deal. The strategy announces a range of actions that will better protect health and the environment from harmful chemicals, including plans to ban some of the most harmful chemicals in consumer … [Read more...] about New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
Human health
PFAS in German children: Human biomonitoring data highlight urgent need for group restriction
An official German human biomonitoring survey of children and adolescents has found harmful per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in the blood of children and adolescents in Germany; including substances that have already been phased out in the EU and globally. Some chemicals were present in the blood of some of the children, even though the chemicals had been … [Read more...] about PFAS in German children: Human biomonitoring data highlight urgent need for group restriction
A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
Today, CHEM Trust published a policy proposal on a new path to protect people and wildlife across Europe from endocrine disruptors (EDs). The proposal, if implemented, would lead to: Rapid and improved identification of substances with ED properties. Strict control of substances with ED properties to avoid or minimize exposure. Full transparency and easily … [Read more...] about A new approach to protect people and wildlife from endocrine disruptors
High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
In real life we are all exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. The environment - rivers, oceans and countryside - is also polluted by hundreds of different substances, including pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals. However, current safety assessments of … [Read more...] about High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
EU Commission announces revision of law on chemicals in Food Contact Materials
On Wednesday, the 20th May the European Commission published its new Farm to Fork Strategy which includes a clear acknowledgment of the need for EU laws on chemicals in food contact materials, like packaging, to be revised to improve the protection of public health, stating: ""Food packaging plays a key role in the sustainability of food systems. The Commission will revise the … [Read more...] about EU Commission announces revision of law on chemicals in Food Contact Materials
Why a group restriction of the bisphenols is long overdue
Two years ago, in spring 2018, CHEM Trust published the report “From BPA to BPZ: a toxic soup?”. It examined how industry is being allowed to replace the well-known hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA), with very similar chemicals that may also be harmful, for example bisphenol S (BPS). The report argued that in order to avoid regrettable substitution of one problem … [Read more...] about Why a group restriction of the bisphenols is long overdue
New investigation finds harmful PFAS chemicals in UK food packaging
Today’s report released by Scottish NGO Fidra shows that controversial PFAS chemicals, also known as forever chemicals, are present in UK food packaging. Fidra analysed 20 food packaging samples bought in the UK to test for the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances). PFAS were present in 95% of the samples tested as reported in their new report: … [Read more...] about New investigation finds harmful PFAS chemicals in UK food packaging
EU Health Commissioner confirms stakeholder concerns with food contact laws
Last week, CHEM Trust received a reply from the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, in response to a letter that we sent a few days after the new EU Commission started its five-year term in December 2019. Her letter gives a clear indication that the Commission is aware of the need for improvements to the EU's laws regulating the use of … [Read more...] about EU Health Commissioner confirms stakeholder concerns with food contact laws
New Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the shocking reality of PFAS pollution
A new Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the dire reality of pollution from harmful PFAS chemicals and the urgent need for strong, protective legislation to protect human health and the environment. PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are known as the 'forever chemicals' as they do not break down easily and will persist in the environment for decades. PFAS … [Read more...] about New Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the shocking reality of PFAS pollution
EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action
At the end of last week the European Commission's stakeholder consultation on the fitness check on European Union legislation on endocrine disruptors closed. Chemicals such as the bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS and some flame retardants, which are used in many everyday products from furnishings and toys to food packaging and cosmetics, have all been found to disrupt the … [Read more...] about EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action