The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently added two new substances to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications. The newly listed substances and the manufacturers are listed below.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on February 14, 2023 that it is now accepting public comments for the state’s PFAS reporting draft rule, which was approved by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection on January 19, 2023. The rule provides additional guidance on the notification requirements and sales prohibitions for products and product components containing intentionally added PFAS.

Hawaii has introduced a bill, SB504, that would expand its ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to include all food packaging and food service ware. A related bill, HB1644, was signed into law in Hawaii on June 27, 2022.

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 5, 2023, the Thai Industrial Standards Institute notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of Draft Ministerial Regulations on microwavable food plastic bags for reheating and on plastic bags for foods.

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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently added ten new substances to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications. The newly listed substances and the manufacturers are listed below.

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (BEP) voted in favor of moving the rulemaking process forward for the state’s PFAS reporting draft rule during a January 19, 2023, meeting. In developing this draft rule, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) held two sessions where it invited input from the public on concept draft rules. Based on input received, DEP made several revisions to the draft.  

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released interim guidance on January 9, 2023, regarding how agencies should consider greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change effects of their proposed actions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

On November 29, 2022, the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Circular 2022-011, titled, “Guidelines on the Application and Issuance of Voluntary Certification of Food Contact Articles (FCA) Used for Prepackaged Processed Food Products.” The Guidelines set forth procedures and instructions for the submission of applications for voluntary certification of food contact articles in the Philippines.