SGS Supports Manufacturers and Importers for Conformity with New EU Food Contact Regulations for Plastics

Materials that come into contact with food, which typically include packaging and kitchenware, will progressively require compliance with Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 over the course of the next few years. The purpose of the regulations is to require that materials in contact with food transfer strictly limited amounts of the substances they contain into food they are in contact with. The limits are to guard against quantities that could endanger human health, change food composition in an unacceptable way, or cause a deterioration of the quality of food that is noticeable to human senses. In all, the Framework Regulation establishes 17 groups of materials, such as ceramics and plastics, whose individual implementation is covered by supplementary legislation to progressively implement the regulations.

New regulation on plastic materials

On May 1, 2011 (EU) 10/2011, the new Plastics Implementation Measure (PIM) (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/SGS-Safeguards-01711-New-Regulation-on-Plastic-Materials-for-Food-Contact-Published-in-Europe-A4-EN-10.pdf), came into force. This regulation will bring all EU legislation on plastics in contact with food under a single umbrella and replaces, among others, the current Directive 2002/72/EC.

The PIM sets out a list of authorized monomers and additives for use in plastics manufacture, as well as restrictions and specifications for authorized substances, including specific migration limits and rules on unintentionally added substances, such as impurities. It also defines rules on compliance and specific migration limits for substances like phthalates and heavy metals, the overall migration limits for any substance, a concept of functional barrier authorization for nano-materials before they are used. Additionally defined is a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) and supporting documentation.

Implementation timetable

Until December 31, 2012 the overall and specific migrations in Directive 82/711/EEC apply. Between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015 the overall and specific migrations in Directive 82/711/EEC or Regulation (EU) 10/2011 (PIM) will apply. As of January 1, 2016 only the overall and specific migrations of Regulation (EU) 10/2011 (PIM) will apply.

About SGS Compliance Services

SGS can advise and assist you with compliance to the EU Food Contact Regulation. Our experts can assist you in drawing up a Declaration of Compliance (DoC). SGS has a global network of laboratories offering comprehensive services for food contact testing. Many food contact materials remain subject to national rules of member states in non-harmonized areas. For example, also ushered in recently are new rules for the importation of polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware from China and new legislation on plastics in Italy.

SGS Standards and Regulations Services can provide you with advice about the individual Member States’ national legislations that you need to comply with for articles in contact with food.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With 67,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,250 offices and laboratories around the world.

For more information please contact us.

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Laurine Benitah
Key Account Manager Toys & Foodgrade Articles
SGS France
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94110 Arcueil

t +33 1 41 24 89 84
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This release was published on openPR.