European Commission presents new draft directive on toy safety / Target is banning toxic substances

EuPC and FEP launch first plastics diploma

EU risk review confirms safety of products containing brominated deca-BDE / Basis for REACH registration

Europen: New recycling targets in UK / Packaging association established in Bosnia Herzegovina / French President backs action on waste / German Packaging Ordinance revision / Hungary fails to respond to EC amendment

France lifts ban on conventional plastics / Victory for competition in the EU

Retailing giant Sears to phase out PVC use

Plastics industry cycle shows no signs of peaking / Processing still strong, despite cost pressure / M&A carousel continues to turn / Machinery sector buoyant / K 2007 successful

US polyurethane foam makers adopt environmental standard based on Europe's “CertiPUR”

Futurologist's report highlights growing role for plastics over the next 25 years

Exuberance in Düsseldorf / Plastics industry celebrates its success / More than 242,000 visitors attend / Many spontaneous deals / Fair's international reach is extended

The party's (almost) over – the last one turn out the lights

Europen: Dutch to introduce carbon-based packaging tax / Belgium condemned by European Court of Justice / Germans revision of Packaging Ordinance delayed / Higher plastics bag levy in Ireland / New bulletin highlights progress on regulation

Record attendance at world's leading plastics trade show in Düsseldorf / Exhibitor numbers pass 3,100 for first time / China third largest participant / Focus on energy efficiency and sustainability

“Half-time” tally shows rise in attendance compared with 2004

Halls still buzzing on show's third day