On 1 June 2007, the REACH Regulation (the European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical), cornerstone of EU chemicals legislation, entered into force with the objective of, among other, to improve citizens’ confidence in the safety of products. A recent Eurobarometer survey on chemical safety reveals the impact REACH has made in its 10 years’ existence. According to this study 44% of EU citizens consider that safety of chemicals contained in products has improved in the last 10-15 years. They also have a higher level of confidence in products manufactured in the EU compared to those imported from outside. Two-thirds of citizens are concerned about being exposed to hazardous chemicals, while in general, citizens in Northern Europe are better informed about the potential dangers of chemicals than citizens in Southern Europe.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated the guidance provided to applicants with clearer advice on how to submit dossiers for the safety assessment of substances to be used in plastic Food Contact Materials. This safety assessment is a condition for putting these materials on the market in the European Union. Previously covered in one guidance document, EFSA has now published separate scientific and administrative documents. The scientific guidance includes updated information on the dataset required to assess the genotoxic potential of a substance, while the administrative guidance details the application procedure and introduces new forms applicants should use when preparing and presenting an application.
Source: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/