Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
319. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the consideration given to the per- and poly-fluoroalkylated substances content of single-use food containers in procurement policy. [8347/22]
View answerPer- and poly-fluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) are an additive that is commonly used to make a range of products from household items to food packaging, oil and water-resistant.
At European level a number work is ongoing to address chemicals in materials which may result in legislative changes in the future. These include:
- EU Farm to Fork Strategy: The Commission will be revising food contact materials legislation to improve food safety and public health (in particular in reducing the use of hazardous chemicals), support the use of innovative and sustainable packaging solutions using environmentally-friendly, re-usable and recyclable materials, and contribute to food waste reduction.
- Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The Commission is proposing a set of actions to address the use of and contamination with PFAS. This includes a commitment to address PFAS with a group approach, under relevant legislation on water, sustainable products, food, industrial emissions, and waste. EU member states endorsed the Strategy’s goal in 2020, approving Council Conclusions that called for PFAS-containing products to be allowed only if their use is proven to be essential.
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive: The review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive is ongoing, in particular around essential requirements, which may include measures to deal with compostable packaging, mandating recycled content in plastic packaging, reuse, prevention and restricting substances of concern. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) will be actively engaging in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive review discussions.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) established a framework in July 2021 for disposable catering consumables and meal containers that provides a wide range of compostable or sustainable products to the public service, in accordance with current legislation and regulations. The arrangement aims to help reduce the negative impact of certain plastic products on the environment, in particular marine life.
During the tender design research stage, the OGP engaged with a number of relevant stakeholders including manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency, DECC and the European Commission. The findings of these consultations led to a procurement strategy that required tenderers to submit either compostable or recyclable products to meet obligations, including those under the Single Use Plastics (SUP) Directive (EU) 2019/904. This was addressed in the specification of the products.
All disposable items supplied under the framework must be recyclable, or made of compostable material. The raw materials in these compostable products include wood, sugar cane, bamboo and coconut fibres, in compliance with European Regulations for food contact.
The Suppliers under this arrangement have certified that all natural plant-based (virgin fibres) products fully meet the European Regulations guidelines for the safe use of approved PFAS as an oil-repellent additive.
