Page 69 - FoodFocusThailand No.218 MAY 2024

STRENGTHEN THE PACKAGING

Addressing Evolving Needs: regulations regarding food contact materials and
The European Union has continuously revised
packaging, with a significant focus on plastics. This is
Updating Food Packaging driven by the intricate nature of plastics, which
encompass diverse chemical compositions and the
incorporation of additives tailored for specific
applications. Previously, several directives addressed
Regulations Globally different aspects of food contact safety, such as

Directive 2002/72/EC (Monomers Additives), Directive
85/572/EC (List of Simulants), Directive 82/711/EEC
(Migration Testing), Directive 80/766/EEC (Vinyl
Chloride in PVC Analysis), Directive 81/432/EEC (Vinyl
Chloride in Food Analysis), and Regulation (EC) No.
1895/2005 (Epoxy Derivatives BADGE/BFDOE/
NOGE). But now these directives were consolidated
into a unified regulation, Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011,
in 2011. Since then, there have been ongoing
amendments to this regulation almost every year,
including cancellations, modifications, and additions of
text, additional listings, and acceptance criteria for Additionally, Germany has developed regulations for product
various chemical substances allowed in food contact packaging ordered online. Italy mandates that manufacturers
plastics. As of August 2023, it has been updated 17 provide consumers with information on the material and life cycle
times. These revisions reflect new research on the of packaging to encourage reuse and recycling, along with
potential health risks of chemicals migrating from food imposing a Plastic Packaging Tax of 450 euros per ton, exempting
contact plastics. Given these ongoing revisions, recycled, compostable, or biodegradable plastics. The United
stakeholders in the food packaging industry, especially Kingdom requires importers of plastic packaging exceeding 10
those in the plastic packaging sector, need to comply tons to pay £200 per ton, with exemptions for packages containing
with Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 to ensure compliance over 30 percent recycled plastic.
with the overarching framework provided by Regulation
(EC) No. 1935/2004 on the safety of food contact Changes in food packaging laws in the United
materials. States of America
Recycled plastics are also closely monitored due The United States has seen an expansion of Extended Producer
to the plastic waste crisis, prompting targeted efforts Responsibility (EPR) and growing awareness of PFAS substances,
to promote increased recycling in plastic packaging. both of which are significant factors driving regulatory enforcement,
Measures include reducing packaging usage, designing especially regarding plastic packaging, in addition to existing
materials only as necessary, promoting reuse, and regulations on food contact materials.
boosting the proportion of recycled materials, aligning A 2023 PMMI Business Intelligence report titled “Sustainability
with Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and Technology: The Future of Packaging and Printing” found
92/62/EEC. This directive has been continuously that two-thirds of US manufacturers using packaging are still in
developed, advocating for the reduction of single-use the early stages of adopting extended producer responsibility
plastics (SUP) through Directive (EU) 2019/904 and (EPR) within their operations. The report also highlights concerns
the utilization of plastics after their initial use through raised by businesses regarding the clarity of measures supporting
Post Consumer Recycling Plastic (PCR Plastic), the display of recyclable and biodegradable symbols on
announced by Regulation (EC) No. 282/2008 packaging. Clear guidelines are needed for practical
and subsequently revised to Regulation (EC) No. implementation.
2022/1616. To promote EPR, several strategies can be implemented,
At the national level, members of the European similar to those adopted by the European Union. These include
Union have enacted specific legislation to regulate food setting the minimum recycled content, reducing the use of
packaging. For example, France has announced a ban unrecyclable materials, implementing a tax on virgin plastic resin,
on plastic bags for packaging certain vegetables and and establishing a bottle deposit return system to encourage
fruits, encompassing 30 types, and aims to achieve recycling. Additionally, promoting social and consumer
100 percent plastic circulation by 2025 by promoting responsibility among product manufacturers can be achieved
the use of biodegradable alternatives. Meanwhile, through regulations focused on safety. Examples include
Germany has enforced a deposit system for beverage prohibiting the use of harmful chemicals in food packaging, such
packaging, including plastic bottles and metal cans, as ortho-phthalates, all PFAS, bisphenols and related compounds,
since 2022, with dairy products included since 2024. styrene, and antimony trioxide.

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