in the news

Feb 3, 2012:Carbon Black and Alkenylbenzenes Nominated for Inclusion in the Report on Carcinogens
Feb 3, 2012:Two Chemicals Present in Some Food-Contact Materials May be Added to Prop. 65 List
Jan 23, 2012:FDA Adds Three New Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Jan 19, 2012:FDA Sued Over Lack of Response to Citizen Petition on Regulation of Nanomaterials
Jan 17, 2012:Michael Landa Named Director of CFSAN
Jan 12, 2012:Chinese Polyethylene Resin and Polypropylene Resin Standards Notified to the WTO
Jan 10, 2012:New FCNs Included in USDA's Updated List of Approved Ingredients
Dec 24, 2011:Caramel Color Containing 4-MEI Can be Listed Under Proposition 65, California Court Rules
Dec 21, 2011:State Testing of Single-Use Shopping and Mailing Bags for Lead and Cadmium Imminent
Dec 19, 2011:Printing Ink Components in Food Packaging Not a Safety Concern, Says UK FSA
Dec 15, 2011:FDA Adds New Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Dec 13, 2011:California Revamps Recycling Laws
Dec 13, 2011:California Increases Scope of Green Chemistry Initiative Regulations in 4th Draft
Dec 7, 2011:EU Trade Association Updates Guidance on Printing Inks for Food Packaging
Dec 6, 2011:FDA Adds New Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Nov 29, 2011:EPA Proposes Clarification on Data Requirements for Prions
Nov 29, 2011:Trade Group Questions Timing of California Lawsuit Over Biodegradable Claims
Nov 18, 2011:FDA Announces DEHP Standard for Bottled Water
Nov 15, 2011:Wayne Vincent Black, 1937-2011
Nov 15, 2011:California Revises Method for Calculating NSRLs Under Prop. 65
Nov 8, 2011:China Releases List of Approved Resins for Food Packaging Materials
Oct 27, 2011:U.S. Recycling Rates for Plastic Bottles Up in 2010
Oct 27, 2011:Dennis Keefe Named Director of FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety
Oct 18, 2011:FDA Adds Three Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Oct 18, 2011:CONEG to Conduct Study on Laboratory Testing of Lead in Glass Packaging
Oct 18, 2011:European Commission Adopts Uniform "Nanomaterial" Definition
Oct 7, 2011:Possible Changes in FCN Chemistry Data Requirements on the Horizon, FDA Chemist Says at Keller and Heckman Seminar
Oct 4, 2011:OEHHA Considering Change to Method for Calculating NSRLs Under Prop. 65
Sep 22, 2011:Court Rules that Marin County Can Ban Plastic Bags Without an EIR; SPBC to Appeal
Sep 22, 2011:FDA Adds Ten Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Sep 22, 2011:Connecticut BPA Ban Goes into Effect October 1; Includes Certain Metal Containers
Sep 16, 2011:EPA-Funded Study Shows Very Low Internal Human Exposure to BPA From Diet
Sep 13, 2011:EFSA Issues Draft Opinion on TTC; Seeks Comments
Sep 12, 2011:German BfR Publishes Updated Recommendations for Paper and Paperboard
Aug 31, 2011:California Bill Proposes Ban on Foamed Polystyrene Take-Out Containers
Aug 18, 2011:California BPA Law Should be "Canned," Says Stanford Fellow, Touts EPA-Funded Study Demonstrating Minimal Risk From BPA
Aug 16, 2011:Continued Use of Four Food-Contact Sterilization Substances for Organic Products Approved
Aug 16, 2011:FDA Adds Four Substances to its Inventory of Effective FCS
Aug 10, 2011:Congress Passes Legislation to Amend CPSIA
Aug 10, 2011:China Drafting Positive List for Food Contact Detergents
Aug 9, 2011:EPA Requests Comments on BPA Testing in ANPRM
Aug 8, 2011:Guidance Released on Laboratory Analysis for Toxics in Packaging
Aug 5, 2011:alpha-Methyl Styrene Added to California's Proposition 65 List
Jul 28, 2011:FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on When to Submit a 510(k) for Changes to Medical Devices
Jul 25, 2011:ESCO Working Group Publishes Scientific Report on Non-Plastic Food Contact Materials
Jul 21, 2011:Food-Contact Substances Usually Not Subject to New Dietary Ingredient Notification, Says FDA in Draft Guidance
Jul 20, 2011:FDA Inventory of Effective FCSs Updated; Eight Substances Added
Jul 20, 2011:Taiwan Announces Tolerable Daily Intake for Plasticizers
Jul 13, 2011:Court Denies Styrene Industry's Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Jul 13, 2011:New Food Packaging Safety System Standard Announced
Jul 12, 2011:Elizabeth H. Dickinson Named FDA Acting Chief Counsel
Jul 11, 2011:North American Plastics Alliance Formed by U.S. and Canadian Trade Associations
Jul 7, 2011:China Announces Second Batch of Draft Approvals for Food Packaging Materials Submitted Under the "Clean-Up" Procedures
Jun 29, 2011:FDA Announces New Global Strategy for Imported Products
Jun 29, 2011:Industry Asks for Preliminary Injunction on Listing of Styrene in 12th Report on Carcinogens
Jun 29, 2011:China to Announce Final Draft Approvals of Food Packaging Materials Submitted Under "Clean-Up" Procedures
Jun 28, 2011:Packaging Waste in EU Declined Significantly Since 1998, New Report Shows
Jun 23, 2011:Taiwan Announces New Testing Requirements for Food Packaging
Jun 23, 2011:White House Issues Policy Principles for Regulation and Oversight of Nanotechnology
Jun 21, 2011:EPA Requests Comments on Nanoscale Materials in Registered Pesticides
Jun 17, 2011:FDA Inventory of Effective FCS Updated; Six Substances Added
Jun 15, 2011:Industry Challenges Listing of Styrene in 12th Report on Carcinogens
Jun 15, 2011:FDA's Draft Guidance on Nanotechnology Does Not Include Definitions
Jun 15, 2011:China Publishes Guidance on Applying for New Food-Related Products, Including Packaging
Jun 14, 2011:EFSA's Nanomaterial Risk Assessment Guide Addresses Food Packaging Materials
Jun 8, 2011:EC Updates Provisional List of Additives for Use in Plastic Food-Contact Materials
Jun 2, 2011:EU Seeks Comments on Biodegradability Requirements for Packaging
Jun 1, 2011:China Latest Country to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles
May 24, 2011:FDA's Authority to Detain Food, Including Packaging, Expanded Under New Rule
May 24, 2011:EU to Ban Cadmium in All Plastic Products Under REACH
May 17, 2011:France and Denmark Move Towards Banning Phthalates
May 17, 2011:EFSA Requests Comments on Draft Genotoxicity Testing Opinion
May 17, 2011:Anti-BPA Hysteria Leads to ‘Wrong-Headed Public Policy,' Says Stanford University Fellow
Apr 14, 2011:EU's Plastics Regulation Amended to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles
Apr 13, 2011:China Publishes Procedure for Clearing New Food-Contact Substances
Apr 13, 2011:EC Developing Guidance Document on EU's New Plastics Regulation
Mar 29, 2011:New Plastic Bag Bans and Taxes Proposed by States and Local Governments
Mar 29, 2011:EC Committee Provides Explanation on Modifications to Nanomaterial Definition
Mar 8, 2011:EFSA Reports on PFAS in Food; Requests More Data on Levels in Packaged Food
Mar 1, 2011:Packaging Technical Working Group Launched by GFSI
Feb 14, 2011:Voluntary Front-of-Pack Labeling System Introduced by Industry
Jan 25, 2011:President Obama Calls for Government-wide Review of Regulations
Jan 25, 2011:FDA Moves Towards Final Rule on GRAS Notifications; Requests Comments
Jan 19, 2011:EU Publishes Draft Guidance on Risk Assessments for Nanomaterials
Jan 18, 2011:FDA Launches Web Resource for Regulated Industries as Part of Transparency Initiative
Jan 18, 2011:FDA Second-In-Charge Resigned to Become Maryland's Top Health Official
Jan 18, 2011:Impact of New U.S. Food Safety Legislation on the Food Packaging Industry
Jan 11, 2011:China Issues Draft Revised Food Safety Standards for Paper and Board
Jan 7, 2011:EPA Requests Comments on Petition to Ban Triclosan
Dec 30, 2010:California Postpones Implementation of Green Chemistry Initiative Beyond Legal Deadline
Dec 16, 2010:Authorization of EU Plastic Recycling Processes Expected in 2014; EFSA Issues 1st Opinion
Dec 16, 2010:China's MOH Accepting Comments on Food Safety Standards
Dec 16, 2010:European Commission Draft Directive Proposes to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles
Nov 30, 2010:FDA Issues Guidance on Imported Pottery After Reports of Extractable Lead in Ceramic Foodware From Mexico
Nov 24, 2010:California Broadens, Then Narrows, Scope of Green Chemistry Initiative Regulations
Nov 16, 2010:Proposed Ban on Nanomaterials in Certified Organic Products Could Extend to Packaging
Nov 16, 2010:Nanomaterial Definition Proposed to Serve as Basis for EU Legislation
Nov 16, 2010:California Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Biodegradable Claims for all Plastic Products; Signs Bill Requiring Identification on Compostable Plastic Bags
Nov 16, 2010:Two Chemicals Present in Some Food Packages Added to California's Prop. 65 List
Nov 8, 2010:FDA's Mitchell Cheeseman Discusses Regulatory Challenges and Changes for Food Contact Materials at Keller & Heckman Seminar
Oct 20, 2010:China Considering Repeal of Several Food Regulations, Including Ban on Recycled Paper and Plastics in Food Contact Materials
Oct 20, 2010:California's Proposed "Green Chemistry" Regulation Submitted to OAL
Oct 19, 2010:CEPI Revises GMP Guidance for Food-Contact Paper and Board Manufacturers
Oct 18, 2010:FTC's Proposed Guides Concerning the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims: What's New, What's Not
Oct 5, 2010:Consolidation of EU Plastic Food-Contact Regulations Moves Forward
Oct 5, 2010:Recent Studies Do Not Support Change of TDI for BPA, Concludes EFSA Panel
Oct 5, 2010:Environment Canada Rejects ACC Board of Review Request for BPA
Oct 5, 2010:FTC to Publish Updated Green Guides on October 6
Sep 14, 2010:Proposed Plastic Bag Ban Defeated in California
Aug 11, 2010:No Evidence of "Low-Dose Effects" in Recent BPA Studies, Says Germany's BfR
Aug 11, 2010:ISO Defines Nanotechnology Terms
Aug 9, 2010:California Proposes to Ban Biodegradable Claims for All Plastic Products
Jul 22, 2010:UK Food Standards Agency Reorganized; Will Focus on Food Safety
Jul 22, 2010:Proposition 65 Violation Notices Sent to Companies Over Lead Content in Food
Jul 22, 2010:India Prepares to Implement Sweeping, New Food Safety Regulations
Jul 13, 2010:EFSA Delays BPA Opinion Until September; France Bans BPA in Baby Bottles
Jul 13, 2010:California's Proposed "Green Chemistry" Regulation Could Broadly Affect Consumer Product Makers, Sellers
Jun 22, 2010:FDA Updates Guidance on Reportable Food Registry
Jun 22, 2010:European Plastics Industry Challenges Call by German Agency to Limit Use of BPA
Jun 15, 2010:CFSAN's Review of Low-Dose BPA Studies Supports Earlier NOAEL
Jun 4, 2010:EFSA Delays Publication of BPA Safety Review; Cites New Studies
Jun 4, 2010:FDA Releases Draft Proposals on Public Disclosure Policies
Jun 4, 2010:Voluntary Guidelines on EU's Food-Contact Paper Regulations Issued by Industry
May 11, 2010:California Releases An Outline of the Draft Regulations for Safer Products
May 6, 2010:EPA to Consider Listing BPA as Chemical of Concern Under TSCA
May 6, 2010:Proposed TSCA Legislation Would Require Exposure Data on New Chemicals From All Sources
May 6, 2010:Proposed Local and State Legislation Would Ban Single-Use Carryout Bags in California
Apr 6, 2010:California Bill Would Ban Non-compostable and Non-recyclable Food Service Packaging
Apr 6, 2010:EU Members Asked to Monitor Perfluoroalkylated Substances in Food
Apr 6, 2010:Triclosan Removed From EU's Provisional List of Additives for Use in Plastic Food-Contact Materials
Apr 6, 2010:FDA Publishes Manual on Review of Type III DMFs for Packaging Materials
Mar 9, 2010:EFSA to Review Safety of Non-plastic Food Contact Materials
Mar 9, 2010:China Finalizes Procedures for "Grandfathering" Food-Contact Substances
Feb 18, 2010:Proposed Bill Would Establish FDA Nanotechnology Risk Assessment Program
Feb 18, 2010:More California Jurisdictions Ban Polystyrene Takeout Containers Despite Costs
Feb 18, 2010:City Must Determine Environmental Impact Before Banning Plastic Bags, Court Rules
Jan 28, 2010:Vermont Proposes Law to Mandate Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging
Jan 21, 2010:FDA to Increase Oversight of BPA, Cites "Some Concern" Over Possible Health Effects
Jan 21, 2010:California Appeals Court Rules FMIA Preempts Proposition 65
Jan 14, 2010:Michael Taylor Named FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods
Jan 12, 2010:EU's Positive List of Food-Contact Plastic Additives Now in Effect
Jan 7, 2010:Maryland Insurance Commissioner Named New FDA Chief Counsel
Jan 5, 2010:California's Toxics in Packaging Exemptions Expire This Month
Dec 22, 2009:Applications for Food Contact Plastic Recycling Processes in EU Due This Month
Dec 15, 2009:India Proposes New Rules on Plastic Containers with Far-Reaching Implications
Nov 24, 2009:Legislation to Ban BPA in Children's Product Would Require Testing by Plastic Suppliers
Nov 17, 2009:Dutch Propose Revised National Positive List to Harmonize with EU's Plastics Directive
Nov 17, 2009:FDA's Mark Hepp Reviews 10 years of FCN Program at Keller & Heckman Seminar
Oct 29, 2009:Experts Disagree on Implementation of California's Green Chemistry Initiative
Oct 15, 2009:Institute of Medicine to Study FDA's Premarket Notification Program for Medical Devices
Sep 22, 2009:California Science Panel Declines to List BPA on Proposition 65
Sep 22, 2009:California Bill to Ban BPA Rejected by State Assembly
Sep 15, 2009:FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Labeling of Certain Beer Products
Sep 15, 2009:Canada Proposes Adding Acrylamide to List of Toxic Substances
Sep 15, 2009:China Allows Transitional Period for Unlisted Food Contact Substances But Questions Remain
Aug 27, 2009:New York Court Allows Partial Implementation of Bottle Bill Amendments
Aug 25, 2009:Walmart Announces Sustainable Product Index; Suppliers Asked for Data
Aug 20, 2009:EFSA Publishes Guidance on Active and Intelligent Packaging
Aug 18, 2009:California Court Blocks Proposition 65 Listing for Styrene
Jul 21, 2009:Connecticut Bans BPA in All Infant Formula and Baby Food Containers
Jul 20, 2009:Notice on Implementation of China's New Food Safety Law Provides Some Clarification
Jul 16, 2009:Regulation of Pigments and Dyes Intended for Use in Food Contact Plastics in France
Jul 14, 2009:UK Publishes Guidance on Food Contact Regulations
Jul 14, 2009:FDA Forms Transparency Task Force
Jun 9, 2009:EU Publishes Regulation on Active and Intelligent Packaging
Jun 4, 2009:FDA to Review Safety of BPA
Jun 3, 2009:California to Consider Listing BPA on Proposition 65
May 20, 2009:Thailand Proposes New Standards Applicable to Food Packaging
May 12, 2009:First Statewide Ban of BPA in Children's Products Adopted in Minnesota; Others May Follow
Apr 24, 2009:Transition Period May Be Allowed for Chinese Additive List
Apr 23, 2009:Manufacturers of Certain Medical Devices Originally Marketed Prior to 1976 Must Submit Safety Data to FDA
Apr 9, 2009:Proposed Bill Would Give FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco
Apr 6, 2009:COOL Rules Mandated in the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills Become Effective
Apr 2, 2009:CPSIA Certification Requirement Delay Applies to Drug and Supplement Packaging
Apr 2, 2009:CPSC Public Meeting on Traceability Signals Potential for Global Program
Mar 24, 2009:BPA Not a Health Risk, Says Australian and New Zealand Regulators
Mar 17, 2009:Proposed Bills to Ban BPA Would Fundamentally Alter FCN Program
Mar 6, 2009:Suffolk County Votes to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles, Others Threaten Bans
Mar 6, 2009:Canada Completes Survey on BPA in Canned Drinks: Confirms Exposure Presents Low Safety Risk
Mar 3, 2009:Additional BPA Studies Planned, FDA Tells Science Board
Feb 26, 2009:Statisticians Challenge Findings That Link BPA Urine Level to Heart Disease
Jan 29, 2009:New ASTM Standard for Plastic Products to be Based on RIC System
Jan 11, 2009:NAD Says "Oxo-Biodegradable" Claims Not Supported
Oct 28, 2008:California Restricts Environmental Marketing Claims on Plastic Bags
Oct 28, 2008:EPA Proposes New Data Requirements to Register Antimicrobial Pesticides
Oct 28, 2008:Human Exposure to BPA From Use in Food Contact Materials Discussed at FDA Hearing
Oct 14, 2008:CPSC Considering New Testing Requirements for Packaging for Children's Products
Oct 2, 2008:California Launches Comprehensive Program to Regulate Chemicals
Sep 30, 2008:California Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Perfluorinated Compounds in Food Packages
Sep 24, 2008:Proposition 65: "Safe Use Determinations" Would be Binding Under Proposal
Sep 24, 2008:Testing Underway to Increase Awareness of State Toxics In Packaging Laws
Sep 23, 2008:California Legislature Passes Green Chemistry Bills That Advance State's Green Initiative
Aug 22, 2008:CPSC Reform Act Imposes New Requirements, Including Limits on Phthalates in Children's Products
Aug 22, 2008:FDA, EFSA, and EC Reconfirm Safety of BPA
Jul 25, 2008:Guidelines on Plastic Recycling Processes Published by EFSA; Dossiers Required to be Filed by Jan. 2010
Jun 5, 2008:Federal and State Governments Move to Ban BPA in Children's Products
May 16, 2008:New Reports on BPA Prompt Reviews by FDA and EFSA
Apr 30, 2008:Health Canada Releases Draft Risk Assessment on BPA; Follows on NTP Report
Apr 15, 2008:EU Group to Develop Tool for Estimating Consumer Exposure to Substances in Food
Apr 3, 2008:EC Adopts Regulation on Recycled Plastics
Nov 2, 2007:Jerome Heckman is Inducted into PMMI's Packaging Hall of Fame
Oct 1, 2007:EFSA Proposes Separate Panal to Evaluate Food Contact Materials and Enzymes
Jul 19, 2007:FDA Publishes Long-Awaited Current GMP Requirements for Dietary Supplements
Jun 7, 2007:FDA Eliminates a Hurdle to Irradiation of Food Products
Jun 6, 2007:Europe's New Chemicals Policy
May 9, 2007:FDA Proposes the Labeling of Irradiated Foods as "Pasteurized"
Feb 1, 2007:European Food Safety Authority Recommends Restoring Former, Higher Tolerable Daily Intake Level for Bisphenol-A