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Thailand Proposes Mandatory Standard for Plastic Containers for Drinking Water

SafeGuardSHardgoodsDecember 17, 2024

SG 180/24

Thailand has informed the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intention to mandate TIS 998-2553 (2010) for plastic containers for drinking water. This standard will become a legal standard 180 days following its publication in the Government Gazette.

On December 4, 2024, the WTO announced a draft ministerial regulation from Thailand’s Ministry of Industry to mandate the use of TIS 998-2553 (2010) for plastic containers for drinking water with a capacity of no more than 20 liters (L).

This Thai industrial standard (TIS), attached to WTO document number 24-8538, was first issued in 1990 and has been amended to reflect changing safety requirements. The latest version of the standard was established from several standards from China, Japan and Thailand. It:

  • Exempts plastic canteens from the scope of products
  • Requires containers and caps or stoppers to be manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) materials and must be labeled as such
  • Establishes two sets of chemical specifications for each of the seven types of plastic (sections 6.3.3 and 6.3.4)
  • Requires the capacity of containers in 0.25 L, 0.5 L, 1 L, 1.5 L, 2 L, 5 L, 10 L and 20 L.
  • Details marking and labeling specifications, including the use of the plate with spoon and fork symbol for food contact safe (Appendix B)
  • Details the physical and performance characteristics of containers
  • Provides a description of testing procedures (Clause 10)

Highlights of requirements for drinking containers made from PC materials under Tables 2 and 3 (sections 6.3.3 and 6.3.4) in TIS 998-2553 (2010) are summarized in Table A


Scope
Requirement
PC containers for drinking water
≤ 10 mg/dm³ potassium permanganate consumption (water)
≤ 30 mg/dm³ evaporation residue (water)
≤ 1 mg/dm³ heavy metal (as lead, 4% acetic acid)
≤ 2.5 mg/dm³ bisphenol A (BPA, including phenol and p-t-butylphenol, water)
≤ 100 mg/kg for each of lead and cadmium
≤ 500 mg/kg BPA (including phenol and p-t-butylphenol)
≤ 500 mg/kg diphenyl carbonate
≤ 1 mg/kg (tributylamine and triethylamine)

Table A. Requirements for PC under Tables 2 and 3 per TIS 998-2553 (2010)

SGS has the expertise to help manufacturers and suppliers of FCM achieve compliance with markets around the globe. Our technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles for many markets. We offer the full range of FCM testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Our experience can ensure your products meet the appropriate territorial regulations for food contact materials and help pave the way for compliance. Contact us to know more or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.

© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.

For further information, please contact:

HingWo Tsang

Dr.

Hingwo

Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager
Rutchuporn Moungsom

Rutchuporn

Moungsom

Laboratory Manager

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