China has recently published a host of mandatory national standards for food contact materials and articles. These will become effective in two phases starting April 19, 2017.
In November 2016, the China National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) published [1] a list of 53 mandatory national standards (GB standards) for food contact materials and articles.
This list of 53 standards is the 2016 version, and is made up of:
- GB 4806.1 (General safety requirements)
- GB 5009.156 (General principles for pre-treatment methods for migration tests)
- GB 9685 (Use of additives)
- GB 4789.15 (Moulds and yeasts)
- 10 Standards for specific food contact materials and articles, including GB 4806.3 (Enamels), GB 4806.4 (Ceramics), GB 4806.5 (Glassware), GB 4806.6 (Plastic resins), GB 4806.7 (Plastics), GB 4806.8 (Paper and paperboard), GB 4806.9 (Metals), GB 4806.10 (Paints and coatings), GB 4806.11 (Rubber) and GB 14934 (Hygienic standard for disinfection of tableware).
- 39 Standards for testing specific chemicals, including GB 31604.11 to GB 31604.49. Some of these are particularly important, including
- GB 31604.15 (Determination of melamine migration)
- GB 31604.24 (Determination of cadmium migration)
- GB 31604.25 (Determination of chromium migration)
- GB 31604.30 (Determination of phthalates migration)
- GB 31604.31 (Determination of vinyl chloride migration)
- GB 31604.33 (Determination of nickel migration)
- GB 31604.34 (Determination of lead migration)
- GB 31604.38 (Determination of arsenic migration)
- GB 31604.39 (Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in paper)
- GB 31604.41 (Determination of antimony migration)
- GB 31604.42 (Determination of zinc migration)
- GB 31604.48 (Determination of formaldehyde migration)
- GB 31604.49 (Determination of arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead; migration of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead, antimony and zinc)
There are two effective dates:
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April 19, 2017 for GB standards except GB 4806.1 (General safety requirements) and GB 9685 (Use of additives)
-
October 19, 2017 for GB 4806.1 and GB 9685
SGS technical experts have extensive knowledge and testing experience in materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. From overall migration test to expert advices on emerging regulations and compliance issues and documentation review, SGS is the partner to trust. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or visit our website.
For enquiries, please contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
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