Non-food legislation – September 2024

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations in the EU
The EC has published Regulation (EU) 2024/2462 amending the REACH Regulation. It restricts the use of PFHxA and PFHxA‑related substances. These sub-groups of PFAS are very persistent and mobile in water, and their use in certain products poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.
EFSA has commissioned a project on the use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to study the mechanisms of action of PFAS on the immune system. EFSA has also published a new topic page on PFAS.
SGS reports that ECHA has launched a consultation on the listing of six chemicals as substances of very high concern (SVHCs). Comments are being accepted until 14 October 2024. If approved, the number of SVHCs on the Candidate List will expand from 241 entries to 247 entries.
A new report by EFSA’s partners in the NAMs4NANO project proposes a system for promoting NAMs to assess the potential food safety risks of nanoparticles.

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations outside the EU
Canada: Keller and Heckman reports that the government has issued a notice requiring reporting of 312 types of PFAS manufactured, imported, or used in products above specific thresholds in 2023. Health Canada has published a guidance document on how to respond to the notice.
Switzerland: SGS reports that Switzerland has further aligned the nation’s Chemicals Ordinance (in German) with the EU-regulations.
Ukraine: SGS reports that the government has published the nation’s EU REACH-like regulation (in Ukrainian) for the management of chemicals. The new law will enter into force on 26 January 2025.
US: Keller and Heckman reports that EPA has issued a final rule to delay the start of the PFAS reporting period under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) until 11 July 2025 (was 12 November 2024). The comment period ends on 7 October 2024.
EPA has updated the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment (DfE) Standard, including the packaging sustainability standards. The updates strengthen the criteria products must meet to qualify for the voluntary Safer Choice label or DfE logo, supporting the use of safer chemicals.

Cigarette packages in the US
The FDA has published a guidance document on the “Tobacco Products; Required Warnings for Cigarette Packages and Advertisements” regulations, which established new required health warnings.

Research on PFAS and micro/nanoplastics
New University of Birmingham research proves that a wide range of PFAS can permeate the skin barrier and reach the body’s bloodstream. The study (1.14 MB) is published in Environment International.
The Endocrine Society reports on research showing that women with higher levels of PFAS during pregnancy may experience long-term weight gain and heart problems later in life. The study (abstract), led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
FPF reports on four recent studies investigating the presence and impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on human reproductive health and pregnancy.
 

NVC members receive this information with all the relevant links in the monthly NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411