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
EU
The chemical industry cries wolf yet again on plans to improve protection from hazardous chemicals
The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) sets out the actions needed for chemicals management in delivering the European Green Deal, a toxic-free environment and zero-pollution. All of which are priorities for the EU Commission with the aim of enhancing environmental and health protection, while setting a path towards a more sustainable chemical … [Read more...] about The chemical industry cries wolf yet again on plans to improve protection from hazardous chemicals
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
EU Court hearing on GenX: company Chemours challenges EU authority
Today CHEM Trust together with ClientEarth (the environmental law charity) are participating in a public hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Both organisations are supporting the EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the Government of the Netherlands against a challenge by the chemical company Chemours regarding the identification of their compounds, known as … [Read more...] about EU Court hearing on GenX: company Chemours challenges EU authority
PFAS in food packaging: New European wide investigation
A new report published today by eight non-profit organisations, including CHEM Trust, shows that ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS are present in disposable food packaging and tableware used by popular fast food chains and takeaway restaurants across Europe. This new joint report, Throwaway Packaging, Forever Chemicals: European-wide survey of PFAS in disposable food packaging and … [Read more...] about PFAS in food packaging: New European wide investigation
Action on suspected endocrine disruptors is crucial for increasing protection
On Monday March 22nd, CHEM Trust participated in a Commission meeting which discussed the next steps on EU action on endocrine disruptors. As we described in our recent blog, the question on how endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be better identified in the context of EU regulation for classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) is one of the important upcoming … [Read more...] about Action on suspected endocrine disruptors is crucial for increasing protection
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
New endocrine disruptors website is a welcome step to inform EU consumers and businesses
A new website compiling lists of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has just been launched by a collaboration of authorities in Denmark, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Sweden. The webpage contains three separate lists of EDCs. one listing substances officially identified as EDCs in the EU (list I), one listing substances under evaluation for endocrine … [Read more...] about New endocrine disruptors website is a welcome step to inform EU consumers and businesses
Is the EU finally set to update its outdated laws on chemicals in food contact materials?
EU regulation of chemicals in food contact (FCM) applications, such as packaging, pipes or cooking equipment, is a strange world about which many readers focusing on REACH, RoHS or BPR may have little knowledge. I first noticed these laws after starting as Executive Director of CHEM Trust in 2014 and was amazed to discover the EU had built a system to create a positive list … [Read more...] about Is the EU finally set to update its outdated laws on chemicals in food contact materials?
Scientists’ Consensus Statement on chemicals in food packaging provides food for thought for legislators
On March 3rd a group of 33 scientists from around the world published a peer reviewed Consensus Statement expressing deep concern about the current use of harmful chemicals in food packaging and other Food Contact Materials (FCM). The scientists cover several fields of expertise, including developmental biology, endocrinology, epidemiology, toxicology, and environmental and … [Read more...] about Scientists’ Consensus Statement on chemicals in food packaging provides food for thought for legislators