Non-food legislation – October 2023
Hazardous substances – Rules and regulations
UNEP reports that the Fifth International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) concluded on 30 September 2023 with the adoption of a comprehensive global framework that sets concrete targets and guidelines for key sectors across the entire lifecycle of chemicals. The ICCM5 participants also adopted the Bonn Declaration, in which they committed to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals, and phase out the most harmful ones, where appropriate, and enhance the safe management of such chemicals where they are needed.
EU: ECHA has received more than 5,600 comments on the PFAS restriction proposal. The restriction proposal was prepared by authorities in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It was submitted to ECHA on 13 January 2023. It aims to reduce PFAS emissions into the environment and make products and processes safer for people. The six-month consultation ran from 22 March to 25 September 2023.
Australia: SGS reports that the WTO has been notified (87 kB) of the intention to ban four POP chemicals. If approved, this will be implemented in phases from July 2024.
India: CBIC has made the inclusion of an IUPAC name and CAS number mandatory for the export and import of chemicals as of 15 October 2023.
Ukraine: SGS reports that the government has informed the WTO of its intention to approve the nation’s draft law for the management of chemical substances. If approved, the new law will enter into force three months after its publication.
US: EPA has finalised a rule on reporting and recordkeeping requirements for PFAS under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The final rule includes 41 additional PFAS that were identified as being of concern.
EU: medicinal products for human use
The EP has adopted its position (343 kB) at first reading on the proposal for a EU directive on the Union code relating to medicinal products for human use. The EP also adopted its position (384 kB) on the proposal for a EU regulation for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and establishing rules governing the European Medicines Agency.
Microplastics and health issues - research
A study (2.95 MB) published in Chemosphere presents evidence of microplastics and additives in both human amniotic fluid and placenta samples. The VSB-TUO researchers aimed to lay the scientific foundation for future quantitative studies aimed at investigating these particles and their effects in the human body.
Researchers at Jilin Agricultural University found that long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics triggers premature testicular aging. The study (8.7 MB) is published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology.
FPF reports on two studies that associate microplastic exposure with cancer. In the first study, researchers at the Office of Innovation and Analytics in Atlanta found a relationship between PVC particles and liver toxicity. In the other study, researchers from Tongji University in Shanghai and co-authors found that polystyrene nanoplastics speed up ovarian cancer development in mice.
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