Non-food legislation – August 2024

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations in the EU
On 1 July 2024, the updated Rolling List of the REACH restrictions roadmap was published. It prioritises group restrictions for the most harmful substances. SGS reports that ECHA has added one chemical to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs). The list now contains 241 entries for chemicals that can harm people or the environment. ECHA has announced that inspectors will be checking if the suppliers of a number of consumer products which are widely available fulfil their duties under the CLP regulation. The EC has opened a consultation on amending Annex I of the POPs Regulation to include UV-328 as a substance subject to certain restrictions. RIVM (in Dutch) has prepared a summary in Dutch of the risk assessment of the PFAS restriction proposal under REACH. NL: On 24 April 2024, Knoops’ advocaten issued a subpoena on behalf of eleven interest organisations against the State of the Netherlands in connection with the harmful effects of widespread PFAS contamination. The lawsuit started on 7 August.

Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations outside the EU
Canada: The government has published an updated Draft State of PFAS Report and a revised Risk Management Scope. The public comment period ends 11 September 2024. Japan: SGS reports that the government has designated PFOA as Class I Specified Substance. New Zealand: The government has launched a consultation on its proposal to regulate UV-328 and two other chemicals as POPs. UK: The HSE has amended the mandatory classification and labeling list (GB MCL list). US: The EPA has proposed to designate five chemicals as High-Priority Substances for risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). California: SGS reports that the OEHHA has modified its proposed amendment to the Prop 65 warning methods in response to received comments. Prop 65 is a right-to-know law that requires individuals to receive a clear and reasonable warning before being exposed to certain chemicals.

EU: Medicine and medical devices
In June 2024, Regulation (EU) 2024/1860 was published giving companies more time to apply the regulations for medical devices (2017/745) and in vitro diagnostic medical devices (2017/746) to ensure that these devices are available to patients whenever they need them. NL: Minister Dijkstra has informed (in Dutch) the House of Representatives about her request to the EC for a waiver from the obligation to supply medicines with a paper package leaflet for the purpose of a pilot study on digital product information for hospital medicines.

Nicotine products
Finland: Draft legislation on warning labels required for unit packets of smokeless nicotine products has been sent to the EC. NL: Draft legislation on neutral packaging for electronic vapour products (also known as electronic cigarettes or vapes) and cigars, has been sent to the EC.

Microplastics and nanoplastics
The FDA has created a web page on research on microplastics and nanoplastics in the food supply. In a second study, VU researchers once again detected micro and nanoplastics in human blood. Southeast Asian countries top the global per capita list of dietary uptakes of microplastics, according to a study by Cornell researchers.
 

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