Industry Legislation

New York PS foam ban headed to state supreme court / Industry and restaurant owners call legislation a sham / City claims recycling is not economically feasible

Restriction of lightweight bags passes European Parliament / Charges from end of 2018 / Commission expects cost savings of EUR 740m per year / EuPC “disappointed”

India imposes tariffs on polyols imports / Duties affect deliveries from Europe, Singapore and Australia

Germany's new fracking rules pass cabinet / Experts question commercial viability of shale gas in Europe

England plastic bag tax to cause customer confusion, claims PAFA

BPF warns of consequences of exempting biodegradable bags from levy / Oxo-biodegradable plastics association accuses recyclers of scaremongering

Swedish group's halogen-free, non-toxic flame retardant now approved in the US / Paving the way for international cooperations

Indian government mulling ban on PET bottles for liquid, oral medicine / Petcore association says proposal has no scientific base

European food watchdog EFSA finds BPA to have “no health risk” / Study may weaken France's push for reclassification / REACH administrator ECHA also in the game

US Environmental Protection Agency mulls new rules for MDI and TDI in consumer products

UK competition authority scrutinises purchase of Weidenhammer / Without additional guarantees, deal could be investigated

ECHA prepares for the countdown to 2018 registration deadline / “Roadmap” to guide SMEs

Austrian producers switch to “PolyFR” / Substitution completed six months ahead of REACH deadline

New York City goes ahead with planned ban on EPS food packaging / Rigid PS unaffected / Officials say recycling is infeasible / Chemistry Council says legislation will hurt economy

EC withdraws Circular Economy plans to increase recycling levels / Package to be replaced with more ambitious legislation

EU committee finds DEHP as of “very high concern” for the environment / Health decision still due

Part 4 – Regulations: Regulatory moves keep the industry on its toes again in 2014 / Restrictions on plastic bags dominate the discussion / BPA and phthalates still a topic / Flame retardant issues still smoulder / Recycling guidelines make headway

PlasticsEurope calls France's report on alternatives to bisphenol A in food packaging “unrealistic simplification” / French parliament set to vote on ban from 1 January 2015

Follow-up: European Bioplastics and Assobioplastiche welcome European Council's amendment to Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive

EU guideline calls for gradual reduction in consumption up to 2025 / EuPC highlights problems from internal market perspective, warns of job losses / PlasticsEurope fears trade barriers, calls for regulation of “oxo-degradable” plastics

Germany's door to shale gas exploration kicked open slightly / Experts to decide on suitability of geological formations / Industry urges quick start to exploration / Plans still controversial

OPA discredits Italian statement on oxo-biodegradable plastics and bag charges / Call for objective technical assessment by Commission

EPA adds BPA, phthalates and flame retardants to watchlist / Some choices questioned

Scotland's retailers now charging 5p for all single-trip bags of all materials / England to follow suit in 2015 / Northern Ireland to extend levies to cheap reusable bags from January

EU investigates French state subsidies for PVC manufacturer / Doubts about compatibility with restructuring plans