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The European Commission (EC) published a proposal for a Green Claims Directive on March 22, 2023. The proposal establishes minimum requirements on the substantiation and communication of voluntary environmental claims and environmental labelling in business-to-consumer practices.

Five EU Member States have submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) a proposal to restrict or ban most uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including in food-contact materials, in accordance with the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) Regulation. The proposal covers approximately 10,000 different PFAS that are defined broadly as “any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it).” The proposal also covers fluoropolymers. 

On January 23, the European Commission (EC) notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) the proposed update to Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 (the Plastics Regulation). The draft amendment is now subject to a 60-day period for comments that are due by March 24, 2023.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden have submitted a proposal to restrict the manufacture, placing on the market, and use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under REACH.

Single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, and cutlery; plastic balloon sticks; and certain types of polystyrene cups and food and drink containers will be banned in England, effective October 2023, subject to Parliamentary approval. The bans will also cover items made from plastic that are bio-based, biodegradable, or compostable. The announcement was made by UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey. (The Draft regulations, the Environmental Protection (Plastic Plates etc.

On November 30, 2022, the European Union Commission proposed a Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, which would replace 94/62/EC, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. The proposed regulation would, among other things:

Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI), a UK-based organization, has published a revised version of its 2019 publication, Design for Recyclability Guidelines. The Guidelines provide design parameters that will help deliver recyclable fiber-based packaging. 

European Commission's (EC) Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 of September 15, 2022, on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 282/2008, were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on September 20, 2022 (and a

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced on August 24, 2022, that it is collecting information on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PVC additives.