SG 13/23
The EU has informed the WTO of its intention to revise its regulation on food contact plastics. The revisions are proposed to enter into force in Q2 of 2023.
On January 23, 2023, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a draft regulation from the European Union (EU) on its intention to revise Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 in relation to Tables 1 (Union list/positive list) and 2 (Group restriction of substances) for food contact plastics. The draft regulation, attached to WTO document number 23-0494, contains several important changes to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 10/2011. It:
- Revokes the authorizations for food contact material (FCM) substance nos. 96 (wood flour and fibers, untreated) and 121 (salicylic acid) on the Union list. Food contact plastics manufactured with salicylic acid or untreated wood flour or fibers from a specific wood species may continue to be first placed on the market 18 months after the date of entry into force of the amendment but subject to authorization and other conditions
- Replaces nine FCM substance nos., including strengthened specific migration limits (SML) for DBP (2.5-fold), BBP (5-fold) and DEHP (2.5-fold) and new requirements for the restriction of group substances (total SML)
- Adds five new entries (FCM substance nos. 1078 to 1083)
- Replaces three entries in group restriction of substances, including the consideration of DIBP in group restriction no. 32. According to group restriction no. 32, DIBP (FCM no. 1085) is not listed as an authorized substance in Table 1 to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 10/2011. It may co-occur with other phthalates as a consequence of its use as an aid to polymerization and is included in group restrictions with the assignment FCM no 1085
- Adds three new entries to group restriction of substances, including group restriction no. 36 where the sum of four phthalates (DBP, BBP, DEHP and DIBP) is expressed as DEHP equivalents
Highlights of several changes for DBP, BBP, DEHP and DINP in the draft regulation and a comparison with those in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 are summarized in Table 1.
| Substance (FCM substance no.) | Draft Regulation amending Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 | Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 (consolidated to September 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| DBP (157) |
|
|
| BBP (159) |
|
|
| DEHP (283) |
|
|
| DINP (728) |
|
|
Table 1
According to the proposal, food contact plastics complying with the food contact plastics regulation before the entry of this amendment, and which were first placed on the market before 18 months after the of entry into force of this amendment, may remain on the market until stocks are exhausted.
According to the WTO document and the draft regulation, it is proposed that the draft regulation is:
- Adopted on March 31, 2023
- Published on April 3, 2023
- Brought into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU
Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Phthalate | CAS |
|---|---|---|
| DBP | Phthalic acid, dibutyl ester | 84-74-2 |
| BBP | Phthalic acid, benzyl butyl ester | 85-68-7 |
| DEHP | Phthalic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester | 17-81-7 |
| DINP | Phthalic acid, diesters with primary, saturated C8-C10 branched alcohols, more than 60% C9 | 68515-48-0 28553-12-0 |
| DIDP | phthalic acid, diesters with primary, saturated C9-C11 alcohols more than 90% C10 | 68515-49-1 26761-40-0 |
| DIBP | Diisobutyl phthalate | 84-69-5 |
Table 2
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, paving the way for compliance. From overall migration tests to expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review, SGS is the partner to trust. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Discover more on our website.
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