Japan has been making significant changes to its regulatory framework for food contact materials (FCMs), set to take effect on June 1, 2025. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has finalized the structure of the Positive List (PL) system for synthetic resin materials, marking a major shift in how chemicals used in food-related utensils,…
In December 19, 2024, the European Commission (EC) introduced Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, enforcing a strict ban on bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food-contact materials. This measure aims to enhance consumer safety by eliminating harmful chemicals from products like plastics, coatings, adhesives, and printing inks. The Ban This regulation enforces a broad…
On 16th of December, the EU Council formally adopted the Package and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting sustainability. The rules set binding targets for re-use, restrict specific single-use packaging types, and require businesses to minimize packaging across its entire life cycle. Safe, Sustainable, and Recyclable Packaging The regulation…
The Global Plastics Treaty’s negotiations under the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) have halted. While the session marked significant progress, unresolved issues indicate that further negotiations will be needed to create a comprehensive solution to the global plastic crisis. Introduction to the UN Plastics Treaty The UN Plastics Treaty is an…
In August 2024, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) announced significant updates to its recommendations for materials and articles that come into contact with food. These changes, which apply to silicones, paper and board, specialized baking papers, and temperature-resistant coatings, are already in effect. While all five revised guidelines introduce noteworthy updates, the…
The Bureau for International Recycling (BIR), representing over 30,000 companies across 73 nations, has raised concerns about the adverse effects of restrictive trade policies on recycled materials. A recent position paper, approved by the World Council of Recycling Associations in Singapore, highlights how these trade barriers undermine the recycling industry’s potential to drive sustainable practices…
On October 17, 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an updated scientific opinion on the safety of silicon dioxide (E 551) as a food additive. Commonly used as an anti-caking agent, E 551 prevents powdered foods from clumping together and is widely permitted in the EU for various food products, including those intended…
A global movement to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals known for their environmental persistence and health risks, is intensifying. Recently, the European Union, the State of California and Japan introduced new restrictions targeting various PFAS compounds. These include defluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and PFOS-related substances, focusing on…
The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has raised attention to ongoing issues with the UK’s single-use plastic ban (SUP), pointing out that some retailers and online sellers continue to sell items included in the prohibition. According to the FPA, certain sellers are using loopholes, such as labeling plastic cutlery as reusable, to avoid restrictions. The FPA…
Germany’s aluminium industry has been seeing significant strides in both growth and innovation, with a new initiative aiming to take it even further. Aluminium Deutschland, IG Metall, and IGBCE, along with five German federal states and various social partners, have launched the German Aluminium Alliance. This alliance focuses on advancing the country’s aluminium sector towards…
The UK government has postponed the planned implementation of a £ 1.7 billion plastic packaging tax, originally scheduled for October 2024. The delay follows heavy lobbying from major industry groups, particularly in the food and beverage sector. The proposed tax, which was intended to charge up to £ 605 per tonne of plastic packaging, has…
The European Commission has recently announced new regulations to limit the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and its related substances, a sub-group of the widely scrutinized per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The decision is part of the EU’s broader efforts to protect both human health and the environment, under the REACH Regulation (1907/2006) which governs…