In Brazil, there are specific laws that apply to pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, pesticides, sanitizing products, and explosives. However, there is no law applicable to industrial chemicals. In Oct 2018, the National Chemicals Safety Commission (Comitê Nacional Sobre Segurança Química, or CONASQ), along with the Ministry of Environment (Ministério do Meio Ambiente, or MME), published a Preliminary Bill for the Inventory, Evaluation, and Control of Chemical Substances.
The draft law sets provisions for the creation of a national existing chemical substance inventory and for the evaluation and control of chemical substances. It also makes GHS mandatory for industrial chemicals at the workplace.
Mar-12-2024
Starting April 1st, 2024, paints and varnishes intended for real estate use must be registered with Anvisa if they have sanitizing properties. This requirement applies to products formulated with substances having antimicrobial or disinfectant capabilities, including insecticide or repellent components.
The recent regulatory update, outlined in Collegiate Board Resolution - RDC 847, issued on March 6, 2024, establishes guidelines for proving product effectiveness and outlines the registration process. Additionally, the resolution specifies rules governing labeling, packaging, and sale of these items.
It's important to note that paints designed solely for enhancing or safeguarding walls, without sanitizing properties, remain exempt from health surveillance measures.
Guidance for Manufacturers and Importers
Alongside the new regulations, Anvisa has released Technical Note 18/2024/SEI/Cosan/GHCOS/DIRE3/Anvisa. This note provides valuable insights for companies involved in the production or importation of these products.
Key points covered in the technical note include:
These measures aim to ensure the safety and efficacy of sanitizing paints and varnishes used in real estate applications, enhancing consumer confidence and regulatory compliance within the industry.
Mar-04-2024
In its continuous efforts to ensure the safety of food contact materials and promote sustainability in the industry, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) recently published the 6th edition of its "Questions and Answers" document. This update addresses changes resulting from regulatory updates and aims to provide clearer guidance on materials in contact with food.
New Inclusions and Sustainability Focus
The updated document includes new questions covering a range of topics such as chemical recycling of plastic materials, biodegradable or compostable packaging, references for updating positive lists, and more. One particularly relevant aspect highlighted in Question 22 centers around sustainability, aligning with the broader goals of the National Solid Waste Policy (Law 12.305/2010) and the National Solid Waste Plan (Planares).
Circular Economy and Recycling Initiatives
The Planares emphasizes actions related to the circular economy, which prioritizes reduction, reuse, and reintroduction of materials, reducing pressure on natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste generation. Despite a 22.10% recycling rate of plastic waste from packaging in 2018, challenges persist, especially in the flexible materials category.
The Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (Abiquim) notes the success of mechanical recycling in Brazil but highlights obstacles, particularly in the food and beverage market, which represents almost 30% of the global polyolefin market. To address these challenges, the document advocates for the essential role of chemical recycling in recycling all types of plastic waste, aligning with global initiatives in the United States and the European Union.
Chemical Recycling Processes and Regulatory Clarifications
Anvisa received inquiries about the utilization of chemical recycling processes in the production of plastic packaging for food. The updated document clarifies that processes of complete depolymerization, resulting in monomers indistinguishable from original monomers and meeting purity standards, can be used without specific petitioning or authorization. However, processes obtaining mixtures, oligomers, or intermediates require specific evaluation and petitioning.
Contributing to Sustainable Goals
The adoption of chemical recycling processes in the production of food packaging aligns with Planares' objectives, particularly Goals 4 and 6. Goal 4 aims to reduce waste and rejections sent for environmentally appropriate final disposal, with an indicator to recover 48.1% of the total mass of Urban Solid Waste nationwide by 2040. Goal 6 focuses on increasing the recovery of the dry fraction of waste, with indicators targeting the recovery of 20% of dry recyclables by 2040 and the recovery of 50% of general packaging through reverse logistics systems by 2040.
Conclusion
Anvisa's commitment to regulatory quality and sustainability is evident in this latest guidance. The agency acknowledges the importance of addressing challenges in the recycling landscape and emphasizes the role of chemical recycling in achieving sustainable practices.
For further inquiries or to stay updated on Anvisa's guidance, you can contact the agency's Central Assistance or refer to the latest version of the "Questions and Answers" document.
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