Join Keller and Heckman Partner Rachida Semail and Associate Ales Bartl, for a complimentary webinar, EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and Its Impact on Packaging, on Wednesday, May 26 at 4:00 p.m. CET.

In the context of the circular economy initiatives, the ongoing re-evaluation of the food-contact legislation and the clear commitment of the European Commission to take into consideration the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) in its future legislative initiatives on food-contact materials (FCMs), this webinar will provide an outline the developments of the main initiatives under the CSS that may have significant implications on the future regulatory framework for FCMs, such as:

• Phase-out of the most harmful chemicals for 'non-essential uses'

• 'One substance one evaluation' principle

• Extension of a generic approach for risk management

• Criteria for the identification of endocrine disruptors

• New hazard classes (e.g. Persistent, Mobile, Toxic substances ('PMT'))

• New provisions to take into account of combination effects of chemicals in products

Rachida Semail

Partner @Keller and Heckman LLP

Rachida Semail counsels clients on the regulatory status of food packaging and food related matters in the European Union (EU) and around the globe. She helps clients navigate the complexities of establishing a suitable EU status for food packaging articles and materials. Clients seek Rachida’s extensive experience regarding food-contact substances not harmonized at the EU level, where mutual recognition is vital. She also assists clients with respect to materials intended for contact with drinking water which area stirs its own regulatory challenges. In addition, she advises clients in the active packaging industry on regulatory compliance related to enzymes, flavorings, and food additive clearances. Rachida’s regulatory law knowledge extends beyond food-contact. She also counsels clients on clearance, compliance, and packaging issues relating to cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices, as well as product recalls and other related issues, including biocides in food contact materials.

Ales Bartl

Associate @Keller and Heckman LLP

Ales has a broad experience in EU product regulatory law, including REACH, CLP, POPs, biocidal legislation, food law, medical devices, electronic products and product and food safety. He advises on regulatory compliance of a broad range of products marketed in the EU and represents clients before EU and national competent authorities on compliance and enforcement issues. Ales also advises on product recalls and withdrawals. Ales primarily focuses on EU regulation of chemicals and food, including representing clients in various procedures before the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Ales interned at the European Commission and worked for almost ten years as an EU regulatory associate at two international law firms in Brussels.