The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

India turning the Tide on Marine Plastic Pollution

India has announced elimination of all single-use plastic in their country by 2022 (with an immediate ban in Delhi)

Environment, Leadership, Regulation, PolicyJames EdeJune 27, 2018India, Delhi, UN Environment's Clean Seas Campaign, reduce plastic pollution, Indian Government, Vireo AdvisorsComment

Product Registration Requirement for Nanomaterials Required in Sweden

As of January 1, 2018, notifiers are now required to provide information on nanomaterials contained in chemical products in Sweden according to a decision made by The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) in December 2017.

Guidance, Nanomaterials, Regulation, PolicyJames EdeJune 22, 2018Swedish Chemical Agency (KEMI), nanomaterials, Product Registration Requirement for Nanomaterials Required in Sweden, European Union, nanomaterial definition, CLP regulation, nanomaterial shape, crystal structure, surface area, and surface treatmentComment

The USDA released Its Proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

The proposed new rule would require food manufacturers and other entities that label foods for retail sale to disclose if the product contains bioengineered food, or food ingredients.

Regulation, PolicyJames EdeJune 14, 2018USDA, proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard for public comment, bioengineered food or food ingredients, Vireo Advisors, label foods for retail saleComment

Improved Clarity on Nanomaterials in the EU: REACH Committee Votes to Amend Annexes

The proposed amendments will be used to help understand which substances registered under REACH are nanomaterials and the quantities being placed on the market.

Nanomaterials, Policy, RegulationJames EdeJune 6, 2018Vireo Advisors, EU, REACH, nanomaterial REACH registration requirements, basic characteristics, uses, safe handling techniques, potential risks to human health and the environment, and how companies are addressing those risks, European Commission, REACH AnnexComment

Don’t miss Vireo Advisors June 11th Workshop on Practical Safety Strategies for Bio/Nano Technology Commercialization at TAPPI 2018!

Vireo Advisors is hosting a half-day workshop on June 11th, 2018 at this year’s TAPPI Nanotechnology Division Conference in Madison, Wisconsin (June 11-14, 2018) on Practical Safety Strategies for Bio/Nano Technology Commercialization.

Events, Nanomaterials, Risk Analysis, Regulation, Policy, Nanotechnology, Markets, GuidanceJames EdeJune 4, 2018Tappi Nano 2018, Vireo Advisors, Dr. James Ede, Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin, Dr. Kmiberly OngComment

EU Proposes Updates to Food-Related Risk Assessment

Under new changes proposed by the European Commission, companies would be responsible for reporting all safety studies which were conducted on food-related products [including food contact materials (FCMs)] when submitting them for authorization to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Regulation, Risk AnalysisJames EdeMay 18, 2018EU Proposes Updates to Food-Related Risk Assessment, European Commission, food-related products, food contact materials (FCMs), EFSA, confidential business information (CBI, EFSA managed register of industry studies for the EU, product authorization requestsComment

Washington becomes first state to ban non-stick chemicals in food packaging

The Healthy Food Packaging Act was signed in March by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, banning nonstick chemicals in food packaging.

Policy, RegulationJames EdeApril 18, 2018Healthy Food Packaging Act, Washington, Govenor Jay Inslee, nontick chemicals in food packaging, PFAS, PFCS, Vireo Advisors, safe alternative packaging, January 2022Comment

EU May Ban Single-Use Plastic Across Europe

Single-use plastics include items such as plastic bags, straws, water bottles, and many forms of food packaging and the European Commission’s Vice-President of the Executive Cabinet, Frans Timmerman, hinted that the EU may soon be banning them.

French Inspectors Uncover Mislabeling of Nano Ingredients in Cosmetics

The DGCCRF also found other unlisted nanoparticles in 33 products including titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, iron and zinc oxides.

Nanomaterials, Regulation, Risk AnalysisJames EdeMarch 19, 2018DGCCRF, French Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, carbon black, cosmetics, nano ingredients, nanomaterials, mislabeling, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, iron, zinc oxidesComment

Non-Compliance found in Jewelry and Toys by EU Enforcement Project

The project included 29 participating countries (with 27 reporting in time and in the format provided for the project) from the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) and examined 17 substances, 1,009 mixtures, and 4,599 articles.