Georgia Regulates Food Contact Regenerated Cellulose Films

SafeGuardSHardgoodsJuly 10, 2024

SG 104/24

Georgia has issued a technical regulation on regenerated cellulose film materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. The technical regulation will become effective on January 1, 2026.

In April 2024, the government of Georgia issued Resolution No. 124 of April 3, 2024, approving the nation’s technical regulation on regenerated cellulose film materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (Resolution No. 124/2024). The new law is essentially based on Directive 2007/42/EC on food contact regenerated cellulose films in the European Union.

Highlights of Resolution No. 124/2024 are summarized in Table 1.

Section to Resolution No. 124/2024	Highlight
Article 2.1 ‘Definition of terms’	Regenerated cellulose film means a thin sheet material derived from refined cellulose that is produced from untreated wood/timber or cotton. To meet technical requirements, appropriate substances may be added either in the mass or on the surface. Regenerated cellulose film may be coated on one or both sides Exempts regenerated cellulose synthetic casings
Article 3 ‘Requirements for regenerated cellulose film’	The above definition must belong to one of the following types: Uncoated regenerated cellulose film (Article 3a) Coated regenerated cellulose film with coating derived from cellulose (Article 3b), or Coated regenerated cellulose film covered with a plastic coating (Article 3c)
Article 4 ‘Requirements for substances and group of substances’	Regenerated cellulose films under Articles 3a and 3b must be manufactured using only substances or groups of substances and the restrictions therein in the Appendix Substances other than those listed in the Appendix may be used when these are employed as coloring matter (dyes and pigments) or as adhesives in accordance with the requirements in Resolution No. 585 of December 23, 2016, on the ‘Approval of the Technical Regulation on Food Additives’, subject to no migration of the substances into food Allows regenerated cellulose film specified in Article 3c to be manufactured, before being coated, using only the substances or group of substances specified in Part 1 of the Appendix ‘Uncoated regenerated cellulose film’ Only permits authorized substances falling under Resolution No. 304/2022 on food contact plastics (SafeGuardS 126/22) to be used for the manufacture of plastic coatings under Article 3c The printed surfaces of regenerated cellulose film must not come into contact with food
Article 5 ‘Declaration of conformity (DoC)’	At the marketing stages other than the retail stages, food contact regenerated cellulose films must be accompanied by a DoC (Article 11 to Resolution No. 317 of June 5, 2018) ‘Requirements for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food’
Appendix ‘List of substances permitted/authorized for the manufacture of regenerated cellulose film’	Consists of two parts with certain specifications: Part 1 ‘Uncoated regenerated cellulose film’ Part 2 ‘Coated regenerated cellulose film’

Table 1

Resolution No. 124/2024 will become effective on January 1, 2026.

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.

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