U.S. – Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse Proposes Updated Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation

Vol. 1178 | 07 Aug 2020

The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was established by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) in 1992 to assist with the adoption of the CONEG-developed Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation, which aims to reduce the presence of heavy metals and other harmful substances in disposable packaging and packaging waste materials. Since its development, 19 states have adopted legislation based on the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation.

Recently, various states have made changes or indicated changes being considered to their respective toxics in packaging legislation in keeping with new data and research information.

The significant revisions being proposed to the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation include:

• Restriction of sale of packaging and packaging materials containing phthalates greater than 100 parts per million or 0.01% by weight
• Prohibition on the sale of packaging and packaging materials containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Establishing criteria for the identification and classification of a list of chemicals of high concern in packaging
• Removal of the exemptions for date of manufacture, vitrified labels, reusable packaging with end- of-life recovery and higher limits for recycled content, while retaining the exemptions for when no feasible alternatives exist or where state regulations require the addition of heavy metals with approved exemptions

Comments on the proposed rule can be submitted to the TPCH until August 24, 2020.

The proposed rule can be viewed at: https://toxicsinpackaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/TPCH-Call-for-Comments-For-Model-Legislation-Update-2020-Revised-7.24.20.pdf

For questions, please contact Laxmi Ravikumar (laxmi.ravikumar@intertek.com, +1-630-209-9265) or Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1-847-212-8273).