Several groups are carrying out experiments to observe and measure vacuum magnetic birefringence, predicted by Quantum Electrodynamics (QED). We have started running the new PVLAS apparatus installed in Ferrara, Italy, and have measured a noise floor value for the unitary field magnetic birefringence of vacuum ∆n= (4 ± 20) × 10 −23 T −2 (the error represents a 1σ deviation). This measurement is compatible with zero and hence represents a new limit on vacuum magnetic birefringence deriving from non linear electrodynamics. This result reduces to a factor 50 the gap to be overcome to measure for the first time the value of ∆n (vac,QED) u predicted by QED: ∆n (vac,QED) u = 4 × 10 −24 T −2 . These birefringence measurements also yield improved modelindependent bounds on the coupling constant of axion-like particles to two photons, for masses greater than 1 meV, along with a factor two improvement of the fractional charge limit on millicharged particles (fermions and scalars), including neutrinos.