DEFRA reports that the consultation on consolidating the packaging waste regulations has been concluded.  It has not been possible to gain a consensus on the changes in time to update the regulations to meet previously agreed targets. It has therefore been decided not to go through with the consolidation this year.  The situation will be further reviewed in 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/packaging-regulations-consolidating-the-packaging-waste-regulations

ECHA’s Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) have adopted nineteen recommendations for the use of hexavalent chromium in aerospace and surface treatment industries. RAC also started to discuss the classification of glyphosate and will continue to do so in March 2017. RAC adopted eleven opinions on other harmonised classification and labelling proposals. https://echa.europa.eu/-/glyphosate-discussed-and-opinions-given-on-hexavalent-chromium-by-echa-s-scientific-committees

HSE announces that the purpose of the 2016-17 Inspection Programme is to target sectors where substances causing cancer, asthma and silicosis are regularly used, produced or process generated, to ensure the risks are properly managed.

Ill health effects from exposure to these substances can be chronic and life-changing and every year many workers develop occupational asthma or occupational cancer as a result of exposures to substances in their workplace.

The inspection programme includes aluminium and copper production and casting of iron, steel and non-ferrous metals.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/og/og-00067.htm?ebul=gd-moltenmetals&cr=10/Nov16