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…
Tris(4-nonylphenyl) Phosphite (TNPP), commonly used as an antioxidant in plastics and rubber, has been proposed for classification as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) by French authorities. This is due to its degradation into 4-nonylphenol, a known endocrine disruptor. What is Tris(4-nonylphenyl) Phosphite (TNPP)? Tris(4-nonylphenyl, branched and linear) phosphite (TNPP) is an industrial…
British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass manufacturing industry, is voicing significant concerns following the recent announcement of base fees for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. While the association supports the overarching goals of the EPR, which aims to make producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, they are deeply…
The European Union has officially signed the Bridge to Busan Declaration, marking a significant step towards creating an international and legally binding framework aimed at moderating the production of primary plastic polymers and addressing the important issue of plastic pollution. Urgency to Address Rising Plastic Production The Declaration comes in response to alarming predictions…
Regulation (EU) 1781/2024 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union during last June. Known as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), it sets forth comprehensive ecodesign requirements aiming at enhancing the sustainability of products available in the EU market. Framework for Sustainable Product Design Regulation (EU) 1781/2024 introduces a robust…
In a bold move aimed at tackling Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions, Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) has called upon the European Commission (EC) to integrate waste incineration into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The advocacy group argues that such a step would effectively penalize the incineration of fossil-based materials like plastics and synthetic textiles,…
International organizations are urging the European Commission (EC) to extend the current ban on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) beyond food packaging, and include medical applications. This initiative, led by the environmental law organization Client Earth, aims to address the health risks associated with PVC in a wider range of packaging applications. ECHA Report Highlights PVC…