Non-food legislation – February 2022

Hazardous substances – rules and regulations in the EU
The EC has launched a public consultation on the revision of REACH. The revision is one of the actions announced in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The consultation will run until 15 April 2022. ECHA has added four chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The list now contains 223 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment. ECHA has also published new advice on how to apply dose selection for repeated dose toxicity (132 kB) and for reproductive toxicity (165 kB). ECHA’s advice helps companies ensure reliable results while avoiding repeated animal tests. FPF reports that EFSA has published a guidance document on chemical grouping for risk assessments. EFSA also published a separate report detailing the outcomes of the public consultation on the document. As of 1 January 2020, reporting obligations apply for nanoforms under REACH. ECHA has recently published an update to the Appendix for nanoforms applicable to the Guidance on Registration and Substance Identification (818 kB).

Hazardous substances – rules and regulations in the US and Canada
Canada: The government has introduced the bill Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which would amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) for the first time in twenty years.
US: SGS reports that California has added perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and its salts to the Proposition 65 list of chemicals. Prop 65 is a right-to-know law that requires individuals to receive a clear and reasonable warning before being exposed to certain chemicals.

PFAS and phthalates – research and initiatives
The new project POPFREE Industry led by RISE, brings together 22 industry partners to collaborate for a PFAS phase-out and to find suitable alternatives. Colorado State University researchers have developed a new approach to discover PFAS. An article (abstract) about the research is published in Environmental Science & Technology.
Exposure to phthalates may disrupt an important hormone needed to sustain a healthy pregnancy, according to a Rutgers study published (2.63 MB) in Environment International. A study by FPF researchers and other scientists shows that regulatory ‘safe’ limits for human exposure to certain phthalates may be set at levels not sufficiently protective of human health. The study (1 MB) is published in Environmental Health. In a mouse study, UC Riverside researchers found that dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) led to increased cholesterol levels. The study (2.41 MB) is published in Environmental Health Perspectives.

Possible health effects of plastic - research
A new measuring method developed by Leiden University reveals that there is more plastic on than in salad. The research (abstract) is published in Nature Nanotechnology. High levels of ingested microplastics in the human body have the potential to have harmful effects, a new University of Hull study (abstract) published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials reveals. An FPF article looks at a number of studies on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on mammals, including humans.
A Minderoo Foundation report looking at global plastic production and its effects on human and planetary health has been published (1.56 MB) in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Two IPEN studies have found widespread chemical contamination in plastic pellets around the world. The studies assess plastic pellets found on beaches (2.89 MB) and recycled plastic pellets bought at recycling facilities (4.14 MB).
 

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