[GRRN] Plastic FDA Approvals

RecycleWorlds (anderson@msn.fullfeed.com)
Wed, 13 Oct 1999 11:50:52 -0500


According to the 10/11/99 Plastics News ("Congress finally ends logjam
in packaging"), a company with a new container intended for use in food
packaging will now be able to receive FDA approval within 120 days of
submission if the agency does not respond within that time to affirmatively
withhold or delay approval.

The background for this is an earlier "reform" bill had provided for
this abbreviated issuance by default, but an amendment had delayed the
effectiveness until funding for additional staffing was provided. What
happened was that funding was now provided.

An example of how this would potentially effect recycling is the PEN
bottle. It has been held up in an environmental impact statement review for
a number of years because of its potential impact on recycling. In the
future, while the exact pathway may vary, such an application might be
approved quickly by inaction before anyone really has focused on the
implications for recycling.

Peter

____________________________________
Peter Anderson
RecycleWorlds Consulting
4513 Vernon Blvd. Ste. 15
Madison, WI 53705-4964
Phone:(608) 231-1100/Fax: (608) 233-0011
E-mail:recycle@msn.fullfeed.com