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Food Contact Material Regulations – Asia Pacific Region

The rules governing food contact materials (FCM) in the Asia-Pacific Region are jurisdiction dependent.

General Safety Requirements

As part of the general safety requirements, the quantity of substances transferred from FCM and articles (FCA) to food must not endanger human health or bring about unacceptable changes to the composition of food such as taste and odor.

Diversity & Complexity

The requirements in the Asia Pacific Region are highly complex and diverse. Some countries such as China, Japan and South Korea require conformity assessment procedures to be carried out from approved laboratories for formal acceptance.

General Laws and/or Standards for Key Countries in this Important Region

JurisdictionLegislation/Standard
Australia
  • Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2 ‘Food Safety Practices – General Requirements’
  • Regulations 4E ‘Importation of Glazed Ceramicware’
  • AS 4371 ‘Ceramic Tableware’
China
  • Presidential Decree No. 21 ‘Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China’
  • GB 4806.1 (General Safety Requirements for food contact materials and articles) and a corresponding series of mandatory standards for products and test methods
IndiaThe Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 (FSSA, No. 34 of 2006)
Indonesia
  • Food Law 18/2012
  • National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) Regulation No. 20, 2019 on Food Packaging
Japan
  • Act No. 233 of December 24, 1947 ‘Japan Food Sanitation Act / Japan Food Sanitation Law (JFSL)’- Chapter III ‘Utensils, Containers and Packaging’
  • Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 (1959) – Specifications and standards for foods, food additives etc. No. 3 Apparatus, containers and packaging
  • Positive list for synthetic resins
Malaysia
  • Food Act 1983
  • Food Regulations of 1985 (P.U. (A) 437/1985), Part VI ‘Packages for food’
PhilippinesRepublic Act No. 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013)
SingaporeFood Regulations under the Sale of Food Act, 1973
South Korea
  • Food Sanitation Act
  • Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packaging for Food Products (Chapter 7 of the Korean Food Code)
Taiwan
  • Act Governing Food Sanitation (the Act)
  • Sanitary Standard for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages
Thailand
  • Food Act, B.E. 2522 (1979)
  • Ministry of Public Health Notification No. 435, B.E. 2565 (2022) issued under the Food Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) for plastics
  • Ministry of Commerce Regarding the Imposition of Ceramic Table ware Metal-coated Tableware to be prohibited or required certificate for importation into the country B.E. 2551 (2008)
  • Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) – mandatory and voluntary standards for specific materials or products
Vietnam
  • Food Safety Law (No. 55/2010/QH12)
  • Technical standards/Regulations including QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT ‘Plastics’

Specific Measures Affecting Bisphenol A (BPA)

Similar to many jurisdictions around the world, many countries in this region restrict or prohibit the use of BPA in FCM and FCA. This includes, but is not limited to China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. In Australia, certain major retailers have voluntarily phased-out the use of BPA in polycarbonate plastic feeding bottles.

JurisdictionCitationScopeRequirement
AustraliaAnnouncement by Parliament Secretary for Health
Media Release, 30 June, 2010		Baby bottlesVoluntary phase out by certain major retailers
ChinaMinistry of Health, Bulletin No. 15 of 2011Polycarbonate baby feeding bottles and other infant feeding bottlesProhibited
JapanMinistry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 (1959) – Specifications and standards for foods, food additives etc. No. 3 Apparatus, containers and packagingFood contact polycarbonate plastics≤ 2.5 μg/mL migration (including phenol and p-tert-butylphenol)
MalaysiaP.U. (A) 35/12 of the Food Regulations 1985Feeding bottlesProhibited
South KoreaStandards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and PackagesInfant feeding bottlesProhibited

Food Safety Testing

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.

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