Non-food legislation – October 2022

Hazardous substances – rules and regulations
McKinsey has published an article on chemical substance regulations in the EU and the USA.
EU: The European Parliament (EP) has adopted new rules on persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and how to manage waste that contains them. The EP has also made a video explaining what POPs are, why they are dangerous and the changes to the legislation that the EP is pushing for.
The EC has opened a consultation on a draft amendment of Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation regarding CMR substances. The feedback period ends 10 November 2022.
According to a report (472 kB) by ECHA, under the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulation, the EU sent almost 20,000 notifications for the export of hazardous chemicals during 2020-2021 to 156 non-EU importing countries, 23 % more than in 2018-2019. Under PIC, the EU has to provide these export notifications to the authorities of non-EU importing countries. They contain information on where hazardous chemicals listed under PIC are exported, for what uses, and give information on their hazardous properties. This includes how to safely store, transport, use and dispose of them.
A recent ECHA analysis (771 kB) estimates that in 2021 the combined volume SVHCs placed on the EU market is 45% less than it was in 2010. For example, the production and import of five phthalates (BBP, DBP, DIBP, DEHP and diisopentyl phthalates) and trichloroethylene are estimated to have decreased by more than 90 % in roughly a decade.
US: Keller and Heckman reports that the OEHHA has published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish a Proposition 65 No Significant Risk Level (NSRL) for antimony trioxide. Prop 65 is a right-to-know law that requires individuals to receive a clear and reasonable warning before being exposed to certain chemicals.

Plastics and human health
The WHO has published a report (5.89 MB) on dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles and the potential implications for human health.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that lettuce can take up nanoplastics from the soil and transfer them into the food chain. The presence of tiny plastic particles in soil could be associated with a potential health risk to herbivores and humans if these findings are found to be generalisable to other plants and crops. An article (7.48 MB) about the study is published in Nano Today.
FPF reports on three studies on microplastics in the human placenta. The studies look at the location of microplastics within the placenta, the potential sources and the health implications.
ACS has published an article (8.41 MB) in Environmental Science & Technology on HKBU research indicating that nanoplastics can enter liver and lung cells and disrupt their regular processes.
A study (6.68 MB) by Minderoo Foundation shows that plastic’s range of harmful impacts could trigger potentially colossal liability claims against the petrochemical industry.
 

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