Belgium has introduced stricter national regulations regarding packaging waste management to promote sustainability and enhance recycling efforts. These updated laws require businesses to adhere more strictly to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, ensuring greater accountability in the lifecycle management of packaging materials. The Evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) The EPR system, originally…
Switzerland has revised its regulations on food contact materials, specifically targeting plastics and packaging inks. These changes, published in Official Collection 2024 755, have come into force from January 1, 2025. The amendments focus on enhancing consumer safety by tightening restrictions on certain chemical substances used in the production of these materials. Key Amendments…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Starting January 1st, 2025, France will implement a significant environmental regulation under Article L-541-15-10 of the Environmental Code (CE), which introduces new restrictions on the use of plastic in food-related services in educational and childcare institutions. The ban will primarily affect collective catering in schools, universities, and facilities catering to children under six years old,…
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…